Support Vulnerable Communities and Provide Cataract Operations in Kenya with Nadine Abou-Seido

Restore Sight, Restore Lives: Support the Gift of Sight Campaign

Cataracts are one of the most common and preventable causes of blindness, affecting millions globally. Yet for many, this simple, quick surgery remains out of reach—unaffordable and inaccessible—leaving people to live with vision loss for years.

Through the Gift of Sight Campaign, we’re committed to changing that. By providing free cataract surgeries to those who need them most, we restore not only vision but independence and dignity.

Regaining sight means more than seeing clearly — it means being able to learn, work, support a family, and reclaim a full, vibrant life. It reduces the burden on caregivers and improves livelihoods, creating lasting, positive change for individuals and their communities.

Read the story of one of our rights-holders, who we supported during our last year campaign in Kenya:

"I am 72-year-old driver from Garissa County. For over 40 years, I’ve driven across Kenya for humanitarian organizations. My vision was everything—it kept me, and those I served, safe.
Two years ago, my right eye began to fail. Blurry vision turned into blindness, and I feared I'd have to give up driving—and my livelihood.

When I heard Islamic Relief was sponsoring a free eye camp in Nairobi, I made the long journey. Tests confirmed I had a cataract. The doctors from Canada and Kenya were kind and reassuring. I had the surgery—and Alhamdulillah, five days later, I could see clearly again. That moment changed everything. I got my sight back. I got my life back.

Now, I’m back behind the wheel, supporting my family and doing what I love. I’m deeply thankful to Islamic Relief and the medical team. This gift of sight gave me a second chance—and I’ll never forget it."

This is just one of the many lives we've helped transform. With your support, we can change countless more.

What Your Donations Will Support

Your contribution will directly fund the Gift of Sight – Kwale Project, helping deliver critical eye care services to vulnerable individuals in Kenya. Here's how your donation makes an impact:

👁️ Surgical Eye Camp
Over a two-week period, 300 patients will receive free, sight-restoring cataract surgeries, along with comprehensive care:

Pre-screening & referrals through Kwale Eye Centre’s community networks
High-quality surgical procedures using medical consumables supplied by Charity Vision
Post-operative care & follow-ups to ensure safe recovery
Overnight admissions for close monitoring after surgery
Food vouchers to support proper nutrition during recovery

🏥 Health System Strengthening
To ensure lasting impact, the project will invest in local healthcare infrastructure:

Likoni Sub-County Hospital will be equipped with essential ophthalmic diagnostic tools
20 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) will be trained in basic eye care, awareness-building, early detection, and referrals.

💛 How Your Donation Helps

$50 – Covers medical supplies for cataract surgeries
$150 – Funds a full cataract operation, giving someone the gift of sight
$300 – Provides two life-changing surgeries
$1,500 – Sponsors 10 surgeries, restoring sight and independence to a whole community

Every dollar brings us closer to a world where no one is left in darkness due to poverty.

What I Will Be Doing

This year, I’m honoured to join Islamic Relief Canada’s Inspire Volunteer Abroad Program in Kenya, where I’ll take part in a medical mission focused on restoring sight through free cataract surgeries for vulnerable individuals.

Alongside a team of dedicated medical professionals and volunteers, I’ll be supporting:

Cataract surgery camps for patients in need
Community outreach and education
Health facility support and the distribution of essential medical supplies

Your donations will go directly toward these life-changing surgeries and community health initiatives led by Islamic Relief Canada & Kenya. Together, we can restore vision, independence, and dignity—and uplift entire families.

What Is the Inspire Program?

The Inspire Program by Islamic Relief Canada is a unique initiative that connects Canadian volunteers with communities around the world through field-based humanitarian projects.

Over the past seven years, Inspire has taken 47 cohorts to 12 countries, offering volunteers the chance to serve and learn alongside Islamic Relief teams and local partners.

The Inspire Volunteer Abroad Program is a unique and incredible opportunity for Canadian volunteers to gain practical hands-on experience in humanitarian development both in the field and here at home.

This program emphasizes empowering volunteers to serve communities both locally and internationally by educating them about the diverse challenges the communities we work with encounter and thus training them to become change-makers who can positively impact the lives of the right-holders they are directly engaging with, as well as locally in their communities.