Orissa, India Program Details

Program Overview

Unite For Sight volunteers work with the Kalinga Eye Hospital at the eye clinic and and in rural village outreach programs. Kalinga Eye Hospital & Research Centre is located in Dhenkanal, in the Indian state of Orissa. Kalinga Eye Hospital and Research Centre is an independent unit of Orissa's leading NGO, NYSASDRI, which also organizes several other public health initiatives in the area. Kalinga Eye Hospital provides ophthalmic services in 7 districts of central Orissa, covering a population of approximately .7 million. In addition to providing regular ophthamic services, the eye clinic conducts surgeries, organizes outreach screening camps in rural areas, conducts screening camps for school children, and implements programs for early detection and prevention of eye disease and training to village teachers, workers, and volunteers.

During their stay, volunteers assist hospital staff and doctors in eye screening and patient treatment. Volunteers also spend extensive time at the eye clinic and learn about eye disease from the eye clinic's doctors. Volunteers observe eye exams, treatment, and surgeries. They also support the eye clinic's work by assisting with a variety of special projects. They have an option to work five, six, or seven days per week, and activities are at the hospital and at eye camps established in rural areas.

Patients See Results
Most recently, Unite For Sight sponsored 533 surgeries and trained 12 student volunteers to participate at Kalinga Eye Hospital during Summer 2008. A review of the summer activities can be seen online: Unite For Sight Programs in Orissa During Summer 2008

Who Can Volunteer

This program is suitable to anyone 18 years and older who has an interest in international service and health. Volunteers range from gap year students, undergraduate students, and medical students to public health students, public health professionals, nurses, educators, opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and others.

What Volunteers Do

Student Volunteers

Most days will be spent helping at Kalinga Eye Hospital, preparing for surgeries, learning different eye examination procedures, theory classes, helping with pre-op and post-op surgery patients, and going to the outreach eye camps. One of the doctors, a medical assistant, and a financial manager travel to eye camps 2-3 days week. Volunteers participate in the eye camps, which are held in villages located approximately 1-4 hours from the eye clinic. The camps run about 4 hours, during which time the doctor sees the patients with acute eye problems while the medical assistant prepares cataract patients for surgery. These patients are brought to the hospital to spend the night before their surgery the next day. Volunteers have the opportunity to observe cataract surgeries as well.

Filmmaker and Photography Volunteers

Unite For Sight filmmaker and photographer volunteers document the voices of patients who receive sight-restoring eye care through Unite For Sight programs. The videos and photos promote awareness and information about global eye care needs and also demonstrate the commitment and dedication of Unite For Sight's local partner eye doctors who work tirelessly to provide eye care to those living in extreme poverty. The opportunity allows students, filmmakers, and photographers an opportunity to learn about development issues while making a significant impact.

Living and Lodging

The lodging, living, and transport expenses to and from the airport are approximately $200 for a 15-day period, and $300 for a 30-day period. Lodging is provided 1 block from the hospital in a small house shared by the paramedics who work at the hospital. A cook is responsible for preparing meals, but volunteers may also choose to buy and prepare their own food. Local transport and accommodation are coordinated by Kalinga Eye Hospital.

Special Section For Students: Academic Credit, Clinical Rotations, and Research

This program is suitable for undergraduate and public health students interested in pursuing an internship for academic credit, as well as for medical and optometry students interested in pursuing a clinical rotation for academic credit. You should consult your academic institution regarding how you can arrange this type of course credit. Unite For Sight will complete necessary paperwork required of your university so that you can receive academic credit. Please read the Academic Credit section of the Unite For Sight website.

This program is also appropriate for undergraduate students, medical students, optometry students, and public health students who would like to pursue a research project, which requires that the student have a faculty mentor at their home institution as well as IRB approval. Those interested in research should read the Entrepreneurial Volunteering section of the Unite For Sight website.

Narratives, Films, and Videos About Unite For Sight's Program in Orissa