Dhenkanal, India Program Details
Online Application: http://www.uniteforsight.org/volunteer-abroad/apply
Program Overview
Unite For Sight Global Impact Fellows work with Kalinga Eye Hospital and Research Centre. Founded by local social entrepreneur Sarang Samal, and managed by Sunil Kumar Mishra, 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 NYSASDRI, Orissa's leading NGO that also organizes several other public health initiatives in the area. Kalinga Eye Hospital provides eye care to a population of .7 million throughout 7 districts of central Orissa. The hospital has a variety of departments, including the Department of Diabetic Eye Diseases, a Pediatric Ophthalmology Department, a Refraction Department, a Cataract Department, among others. Kalinga Eye Hospital is the first and only in the state of Orissa to provide pediatric ophthalmology services, and one of a small number of clinics throughout India to provide pediatric eye care services.
Social Entrepreneurship
Born in a small village in Orissa, Kalinga Eye Hospital's founder Sarang Samal was only the second person in his village to receive an education, and he walked 2.5 hours each way to school when he was a boy. With a zeal for social activitism, Sarang founded an NGO called NYSASDRI. After realizing the correlation betwen blindness and poverty, Sarang decided to establish Kalinga Eye Hospital as a program of NYSASDRI. The clinic began in 2002 in a small house that Sarang rented for 5000 rupees ($100) per month. Eight years later, with a new hospital building, thriving staff, and the latest technology for eye care, Sarang's hospital model is being used by others worldwide.
Front-Line Management and Global Health Delivery Projects
Unite For Sight's program in Orissa is unique in that Global Impact Fellows focus on assisting Kalinga Eye Hospital with cutting-edge management and front-line global health delivery projects. They work closely with Sarang, Sunil, and other clinic staff on projects to further advance and scale up the Kalinga Eye Hospital programs. Specialized skills are not required, and Global Impact Fellows of all backgrounds are able to significantly contribute to Kalinga Eye Hospital's growth and innovation. Unite For Sight works with each Global Impact Fellow to determine what skills, talents, and interests they can bring to a project at Kalinga Eye Hospital. Past projects have included literature reviews about healthcare marketing and presentations to senior clinic staff, literature reviews about patient barriers to care and presentations to senior clinic staff, writing case studies, writing profiles about the local social entrepreneurs and eye clinic staff, grant writing, global health delivery research studies, film and photo projects, patient education projects, graphic design, and similar support activities that are important to the eye clinic's long-term sustainable operations. Participating on these special projects provides Global Impact Fellows with an immersive understanding about sustanable eye care, local social entrepreneurship, and NGO and clinic management in India.
Educational Opportunities
During their stay, Global Impact Fellows also have the opportunity to spend extensive time at the eye clinic. They learn about eye disease by observing the eye clinic's doctors. Global Impact Fellows observe eye exams, treatment, and surgeries. They also participate in rural village outreaches that provide eye care to patients who are unable to access or afford the care provided at the hospital. Global Impact Fellows have an option to work five, six, or seven days per week.
Who Can Be A Global Impact Fellow
This program is suitable for anyone 18 years and older who has an interest in international service, global health, medicine, social sciences, or social entrepreneurship. Global Impact Fellows range from gap year students, undergraduate students, and medical students to public health students, public health professionals, nurses, educators, opticians, optometrists, filmmakers, photographers, and others.
What Global Impact Fellows Do
Standard Global Impact Fellows
Global Impact Fellows focus on assisting Kalinga Eye Hospital with cutting-edge management and front-line global health delivery projects. Unite For Sight works with Dhenkanal Global Impact Fellows to design and develop a plan in which they can use their skills, interests, and talents to best support Kalinga Eye Hospital's work. Global Impact Fellows arrive at Kalinga Eye Hospital with their specific project plan. Past projects have included literature reviews about healthcare marketing and presentations to senior clinic staff, literature reviews about patient barriers to care and presentations to senior clinic staff, writing case studies, writing profiles about the local social entrepreneurs and eye clinic staff, grant writing, global health delivery research studies, film and photo projects, patient education projects, graphic design, and similar support activities that are important to the eye clinic's long-term sustainable operations. Participating on these special projects provides Global Impact Fellows with an immersive understanding about sustanable eye care, local social entrepreneurship, and NGO and clinic management in India.
Global Impact Fellows also have the opportunity to participate in village outreach programs that provide care to patients living in extreme poverty. The outreaches occur 2-3 days per week and are located approximately 1-4 hours from the eye clinic. A Kalinga Eye Hospital doctor, as well as a medical assistant, paramedics, and a financial manager travel together with the Global Impact Fellows to the villages. The outreaches last about 4 hours, during which time the doctor sees the patients with acute eye problems while the medical assistant counsels cataract patients about surgery. These patients are brought to Kalinga Eye Hospital to spend the night before their surgery the next day. Global Impact Fellows have the opportunity to observe cataract surgeries at the clinic and observe the eye doctors provide eye exams.
Filmmaker and Photography Global Impact Fellows
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
Global Impact Fellows lodge in a furnished dormitory area of Kalinga Eye Hospital. The total expenses are $170 for a 10-day period, $200 for a 15-day period, and $300 for a 30-day period. This cost includes food, lodging, as well as transport expenses to and from the airport. However, if the occupant uses the air conditioning in the room, the electricity bill for lodging increases the cost by $6 per room/day. If two volunteers are sharing a room, this translates to a $3 cost increase per person/day. Air conditioning is usually preferred by volunteers during the summer, but not absolutely necessary during the winter months. Many volunteers prefer air conditioning in the winter months. A cook is responsible for preparing meals, but Fellows may also choose to buy and prepare their own food.
Special Section For Students: Academic Credit and Clinical Rotations
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.
Narratives, Films, and Videos About Unite For Sight's Program in Dhenkanal
"The Power of Visionary Work," By Komal Patel, Unite For Sight Global Impact Fellow in Dhenkanal
4 Narratives By Kalinga Eye Hospital Alumni Volunteers
Photo Gallery: Kalinga Eye Hospital
Global Impact Fellows at Kalinga Eye Hospital (footage provided by Larry Cai)
Komal Patel Discusses Volunteering And Her Entrepreneurial Education Project With Kalinga Eye Hospital
Nicholas Aurelio Speaks About His Volunteer Experience With Kalinga Eye Hospital
Mousumee Panigrahi Speaks About Volunteering at Kalinga Eye Hospital