Patna, India Program Details
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Location
Unite For Sight Global Impact Fellows work with ophthalmologist Dr. Satyajit Sinha (cataract and glaucoma specialist), his father ophthalmologist Dr. Ajit Sinha (2005 President of All India Ophthalmological Society), and his wife ophthalmologist Dr. Pooja Sinha (retina specialist). The family of ophthalmologists operate A.B. Eye Institute in Patna, Bihar, India.
Date Options
Any filled programs are crossed off.
2012
- February, March, April: Flexible dates for 7-15 days
- May 1-10; May 13-20; May 22-30
- June 1-14; June 18-28
- July 1-14; July 18-28
- August 1-14; August 18-28
- September, October, November, December: Flexible dates for 7-15 days
- Other date requests may be possible. Please contact us with inquiries.
2013
- Flexible dates for 7-20 days in January, February, March, and April
- May 1-10; May 13-20; May 22-30
- June 1-14; June 18-28
- July 1-14; July 18-28
- August 1-14; August 18-28
Other date requests may be possible. Please contact us with inquiries.
Program Overview
AB Eye Institute and Charity Outreach Clinics
During their time in Patna, volunteers live with the Sinha family of ophthalmologists at their home. They also work with the Sinhas from early morning to late evening, including a full afternoon each day providing free care to poor patients in charity clinics. Those patients diagnosed with cataracts at the charity clinics receive free surgery. Unite For Sight Global Impact Fellows assist the ophthalmologists and staff of AB Eye Institute at the clinic and in the outreach programs.
School For Blind Girls
The Sinha family not only eradicates blindness and eye disease. They also founded and operate Bihar Netraheen Parishad, which is the only school in Bihar exclusively for blind girls. Bihar Netraheen Parishad's goal is to reduce social stigma and to provide the girls with a quality education. Unite For Sight Global Impact Fellows have an opportunity to visit the school and meet the girls.
Educational Opportunities
This program provides an extensive and immersive global health experience, and Global Impact Fellows learn about the complexities and realities of global health and social entrepreneurship from the Sinha family of ophthalmologists. Global Impact Fellows live and work with the Sinhas and have ample opportunity to learn from them about eye care, medicine, and global health.
Additionally, for those with a special interest in medicine, ophthalmology, or optometry, the Sinhas provide opportunities to learn ophthalmic and optometric skills. Global Impact Fellows also have an opportunity to observe cataract and other surgeries provided at the eye clinic.
Who Can Be A Global Impact Fellow in Patna?
This program is suitable for 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, ophthalmology residents, pediatric ophthalmologists, filmmakers, photographers, and others.
What Global Impact Fellows Do
Standard Global Impact Fellows
Global Impact Fellows work daily with the eye doctors at AB Eye Institute and in outreach charity clinics throughout Patna. The mornings and evenings are spent at AB Eye Institute, while afternoons are devoted to providing free eye care for patients at the charity clinics. Patients from the charity clinics who need ophthalmic care and surgery are brought to A.B. Eye Institute for diagnosis and treatment. Global Impact Fellows record visual acuity, take patient histories, learn from the eye doctors about how to recognize common eye diseases, learn how to use the autorefractor, and observe in the operating room. Global Impact Fellows participate in school screening programs as well. Global Impact Fellows may also choose to pursue significant time at the eye clinic to learn a skill such as refraction or use of the slit lamp.
Additionally, Global Impact Fellows have an opportunity to pursue independent research projects under the guidance of ophthalmologists and optometrists at the eye clinic. Those interested in pursuing research are encouraged to view the video about Bihar volunteer Kristin Ow Chapman's research project.
Eye Care Professionals
Ophthalmologists work with the Sinha family of ophthalmologists to provide eye care and surgery. All ophthalmologists are welcome, and pediatric ophthalmologist volunteers are especially needed since there is no pediatric ophthalmologist for the entire state of Bihar.
Ophthalmology Residents and Ophthalmologist-in-Training
Ophthalmology residents and ophthalmologists-in-training have an opportunity to receive training in SICS and phaco.
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 Expenses
The volunteers lodge in the air conditioned home of the Sinha family of ophthalmologists. Living and lodging expenses are Rs 1750 per day, which covers living, lodging, food, Internet, and daily transport expenses. There is also a 250 Rupees airport pickup and 250 Rupees airport dropoff expense, which covers fuel and airport parking fees. You may review currency exchange rates at http://themoneyconverter.com/
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 student performance evaluations required by a university so that a student can receive academic credit. We can also provide a letter for the university that confirms a student's planned participation in the Unite For Sight program, as well as details regarding the student's pre-departure online global health coursework and global health field participation. 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 Global Impact Lab section of the Unite For Sight website.
Volunteer Perspectives: In Their Own Words
"My trip to India with Unite For Sight was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Witnessing the desperate need of some of the world's poorest citizens ignited my passion for international humanitarian work that I have continued since that trip. Without Unite For Sight, I would not have discovered my love of medicine and infectious disease prevention, the fields I will be working in after graduation in June."--Leigha Winters, Global Impact Fellow in Patna, India. Read Leigha's narrative about "My Experiences Volunteering Abroad in Bihar, India"
"Unite For Sight gave me the wonderful opportunity to volunteer in Bihar, India with the Sinha family of ophthalmologists whose energy and enthusiasm was highly contagious. Along with Unite For Sight, the Sinhas have ignited my interest in public health and enthusiasm to take an active role in my community. I hope that sharing my positive experiences with my community will raise awareness about the need for vision services in developing countries and inspire others to become leaders in global change as well." -- Jasdeep Manik, Global Impact Fellow in Patna, Bihar, India
"The main thing I drew from living with them and working with them [Dr. Sinha’s family] was their commitment to social justice — and honestly their love for the world," Sammy Icaza, Global Impact Fellow in Patna, Bihar, India. Read about Sammy's experience in Patna.
"There was nothing abstract about it. It was the real deal, the third world pressing into my first-world mind, touching some internal spot which was the locus of dreams and career plans. Because of the context in which I encountered the profound need of Danapur, I did not come away with a sense of hopelessness or fatalism. Rather, I came away with the strong sense that it was necessary for me, like the Sinhas, to take active part in fixing the problems that I had seen. Indeed, I think it is impossible to spend two weeks with the Sinha family without coming to understand that a single, motivated person is absolutely capable of changing the world."--Emily Abrash, Global Impact Fellow in Patna, India. Read Emily's narrative about "My Experiences Volunteering Abroad in Bihar, India"
"I came home from India with a new and developed perspective on health care. My experience in India exposed me to the devastating realities of public health, but also to the overwhelming progress that can be made through the generous use of skills and services by those who are willing and able. Although at times, the need seemed insatiable, it is clear that people like the Sinhas and organizations like Unite For Sight are effectively meeting that need with great hope, determination, and compassion."--Kristin Ow, Global Impact Fellow in Patna, India. Read Kristin's narrative about "Observing Realities and Seeing Hope: My Experiences Volunteering Abroad in Bihar"
"My experience in Patna was an incredible experience. I enjoyed being part of the UFS program in the effort to help eradicate preventable blindness in the world. I also enjoyed working with and learning from the Sinha family, as they were incredible doctors and great teachers. I also enjoyed being immersed in Indian culture and look forward to returning to India to assist with visual care in the future."--Patrick Leneghan, Global Impact Fellow in Patna, Bihar. Read Patrick's "Daily Diary"
"The Sinhas have devoted their lives to improving access to eye care for their fellow citizens. Awareness of eye care facilities is one of the most difficult barriers to preventing blindness, but the Sinhas persevere with endless energy and hope. Many of the patients did not think to seek help until too late. This underscores the importance of activities by the Sinhas and organizations such as Unite For Sight that promote eye care education and provide free eye surgeries to those unable to afford care. The teaching is reciprocal. I returned to the West with a greater understanding of ophthalmology, public health, and myself."--Anna Cooper, Global Impact Fellow in Patna, Bihar. Read Anna's published article "Seeing a Growing Need"
"We were very sad to say goodbye to the Sinha family. They have given us the opportunity of a lifetime. We learned so much from each and every one of them. No doubt they will be lifetime friends."--Brayden and Laura Lundquist, Global Impact Fellows in Patna, Bihar. Read their detailed daily blog about "Volunteering in Patna"