Newsletter : EFA May 2023 Trip

A successful and surprising trip to India

During our recent trip to India, we made significant progress in finalizing plans for the Green Goutami Building in Rajahmundry. We submitted the final paperwork, ensuring that all minor changes requested (multiple times) by the corporation were addressed. The corporation had software problems which caused a slowdown of progress, but it is all being worked out. We also had underground water issues which has also been resolved.

Education and expansion
In the second week of our trip, Dr. VK Raju had the honor of being invited to Cochin (Kochi), state of Kerala, India, where he was a keynote speaker for the Young Ophthalmologist Society of India (YOSI) at the All Indian Ophthalmology Society. It was wonderful to meet a smart, eager, and enthusiastic group who want to participate in a world without childhood blindness.

Additionally, we are currently in the process of finalizing paperwork for the two ophthalmologist exchange programs in which we participate annually, with Rotary International and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Collaborating with other Eye Institutes
VK travelled to Chitrakoot (part in Madhya Pradesh and part in Uttar Pradesh) as he was invited by Sadguru Netralaya, one of the biggest eye care systems.  It is an extraordinary eye-care system, and they are looking for EFA’s leadership for research, training, and teaching. (Board members Sam Maddali and Sekhar Vemparala have agreed to travel with VK to Chitrakoot in the near future.)

A surprising event
VK was approached by Machilipatnam (A.P) group with an opportunity for a new project. We already have a peripheral center for screening only. About 130 miles away from the current Eye Hospital, EFA/Goutami will build a new hospital building, entirely supported by local philanthropy.

A small successful eye camp and ANOTHER surprise
On the way back we stopped in Delhi and did a small screening eye camp and attended the event where VKR was given the Mahatma Award. A journalist in Delhi asked Dr. Raju what does all this mean to you?

He stated, “Would like to do more for a world without childhood blindness”. VK was invited in Delhi to visit an outstanding social service organization (since 1968) the Sulabh International Social Service Organization.

Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak (Padma Bhushan), Founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organization, invented two-pit pour-flush ecological compost toilet technology. Sulabh flush is based on a simple design that is eco-friendly and uses just around 1.5 litres of water to flush.

In the context of developing countries where sewer systems are almost nonexistent, Sulabh toilets offer an innovative solution to the global sanitation crisis. A trip to the toilet museum (maybe the only one in the world) really changes your perspective.

The organization also runs an excellent school and would like to support our vision of the world without childhood blindness.

A personal note from Dr. Raju- another wonderful surprise after my return in the USA.

NATS (North American Telegu Society) has graciously gifted $100,000 to EFA. (the hard work of our two board members Sam Maddali and Sekhar Vemparala)

We’re about $2000 short for Post Operative Eye Drops for Ghana

At the end of this month, we’ll be heading to Ghana Africa for the 5th year to provide vision saving surgeries. Please consider donating $50 towards a life changing surgery. 

VISIT www.eyefoundationofamerica.org