Samarpan's world was slowly fading away

For nine-year-old Samarpan blindness crept in quietly

Cataracts often steal sight so gradually that no one notices at first. A child leans closer to the page. He rubs his eyes. He hesitates in the playground. What is lost over months and years can, through the Miracle of Sight, be restored in just twelve minutes of delicate surgery – bringing back a lifetime of light and promise.

Samarpan's miracle of sight

Samarpan loves to draw, so no one thought it unusual that he bent low over his artwork. But then his schoolwork began to suffer. This once bright student stopped doing well in class. He came home with unexplained bumps and bruises. His parents worried, but they never imagined their son was losing his sight.

As a parent, you would never imagine blindness for your child, or the fear it brings.

Yet in the world’s poorest places, child blindness brings deep fear. Without sight, how will a child learn? How will he work? How will he live safely and independently?

Samarpan’s father, Nabin, earns a small wage as a carpenter. The family survives day to day. The cost of specialist eye surgery was far beyond anything they could afford. If this really was sight loss, what hope did they have?

Right now, there are mothers and fathers lying awake at night, worrying about the growing cataracts clouding their children’s eyes - knowing they have neither the means nor the ability to restore their sight.

That is why your gift today matters so much.

Today, will you please prayerfully consider giving children like Samarpan their miracle of sight? Your gift will help replace their blinding cataracts with clear, new lenses – and restore futures full of hope. 

The turning point for Samarpan came when an outreach clinic from cbm-funded Biratnagar Eye Hospital visited a nearby town. Supported by caring friends like you, these clinics travel across Nepal, seeking out children and adults trapped in avoidable blindness.

At that clinic, Samarpan and his father finally learned the truth: dense cataracts were stealing his vision. He had been too polite to tell his teacher he could no longer read the words on the blackboard.

Nabin was devastated. He knew how much sight meant to his son – not only for school and a future livelihood, but for joy.

“My son loves drawing,” he explained softly. “He spends his free time at home doing artwork.”

Nabin’s grief was further compounded, as he could never afford the sight-saving surgery his son needed.

Then he was told something extraordinary: a compassionate friend like you would cover the cost. Someone he would never meet had chosen to give his son the miracle of sight.

Grief turned to wonder. And wonder turned to hope.

Soon father and son made the long journey from the Himalayan foothills to Biratnagar Eye Hospital, where they were warmly welcomed. There they met Dr Pawan, an experienced eye surgeon whose skilled hands have restored sight to thousands.

Cataracts may develop slowly, but restoring a child’s sight is urgent – young brains can begin to forget how to see if treatment is delayed.

After careful tests and precise measurements for his new lens, the moment arrived. With quiet courage, Nabin entrusted his precious boy to the surgical team.

Because Samarpan is still young, he needed a general anaesthetic so he could remain perfectly still. In just twelve minutes, Dr Pawan gently removed the clouded lens from Samarpan’s left eye and replaced it with a clear new one. A small green protective patch was placed over his eye, and he was taken back to the ward to rest.

He was surrounded by other children, also waiting for their moment of light. Adults in nearby wards were beginning new lives too – all because someone like you chose to care.

The next morning, excitement filled the hospital as patches were carefully removed.

Samarpan slowly opened his eye.

He blinked.

And then he smiled.

The bright, beautiful world he had been missing had suddenly returned. Colours were vivid. Faces were clear. Hope restored. The best sight of all was his father’s face - shining with relief and gratitude!!

“We are very thankful to you,” Nabin said, grateful to cbm supporters like you who had restored his son’s sight.

For safety, only one eye was operated on. With your continued support, Samarpan hopes to return for surgery on his other eye soon.

And there are so many more children and adults still waiting.

Because someone cared, Samarpan can see again.

Your gift today will help bring the miracle of sight to children and adults living in the world’s poorest places, through gold-standard surgery.

Your kindness will bring light, joy and opportunity that lasts a lifetime.

Samarpan loved to draw his world. Cataracts were slowly stealing it away. Without help, his blindness could have been permanent.