A JAGS Sixth Form pupil, Aleena, raised an incredible £1100 to sponsor the set-up of a temporary eye camp in Pakistan in October. The money was raised via JustGiving, and Aleena shared the page on social media, as well as with family and friends to raise the funds.

The eye camp, set up by the Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital Center for Community Ophthalmology, was situated a three-hour journey by car from the hospital itself. Most of the people who visited the eye camp would be otherwise unable to visit the hospital, due to not owning a car or motorbike to get them there.

Speaking about the experience, Aleena commented, ‘I hadn’t worked with Al-Shifa before but I hope to do more work with them in the future. I first learnt about them through one of my relatives who works for them, but then I went to their website to find out more about the eye camps and what the trust does. At first, I just wanted to go to the camps to gain some experience, but then I decided to sponsor a camp too because I liked the idea of helping people from the country I’m originally from.’

At the eye camp, people could get screened for common ophthalmology issues free of charge. A refraction machine helped doctors to decipher which kind of lens the patient may need, as well as their visual acuity. The machine also allowed ophthalmologists to diagnose more complex eye problems, and to determine whether surgery was needed. The surgeries were all cataract surgeries, performed by one doctor.

Over the two days, 976 patients were screened on the camp site and 81 surgeries were performed.

A spokesperson for the hospital said, ‘Aleena contributed her part to bring light to so many people’s lives. Through her donation, there are so many people who can see the colours of life once again.’