August 2026 Impact: 100 Children Screened and New Partnerships for Children's Eye Care
Summary
August was a month of reaching children where they live and learn. In partnership with H.V. Desai Eye Hospital (HVD), Pune, Project Prakash held eye screening camps at three schools for children who are blind in Chandrapur and Wardha, Maharashtra, screening 100 children in three days. Eleven children were referred for further evaluation, including two identified for Project Prakash's congenital cataract programme, and 14 were prescribed spectacles. In Uttar Pradesh, the team laid the groundwork for upcoming camps in Sitapur and Bahraich by building partnerships with district education authorities.
Every child screened is a chance to find a condition that can be treated, or vision that can be improved, before more time is lost.
August at a Glance
100 children screened across three camps in Maharashtra
11 children referred to HVD for further evaluation and treatment
2 children identified for the Project Prakash congenital cataract programme
14 children prescribed spectacles
21 school staff members reached through eye-health awareness sessions
7 new camps proposed in Sitapur and Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh
Outreach Camps in Maharashtra
Residential schools for the blind bring together children from many districts, which makes them an important place to look for treatable eye conditions. Across three consecutive days, the Project Prakash and HVD teams screened every child they could reach, referred those who needed further care, and prescribed spectacles where they would help. At each school, the team also spent time with staff, sharing information on children's eye care and the importance of regular screening.
Anandwan Blind School, Varora (4 August)
The first camp took place at Anandwan Blind School in Varora, Chandrapur, which provides education and residential facilities to children from districts across the state. The team screened 61 children. Six were referred to HVD for further evaluation: five with cataract-related concerns that fall outside the Project Prakash congenital cataract programme, and one for squint. Nine children were prescribed spectacles. No children at this camp were identified for the Project Prakash congenital cataract programme.
An awareness session was held for 10 school staff members, who actively supported the camp and welcomed the effort to bring quality eye care to their students.
Prerna Blind School, Bhadrawati (5 August)
The next day, the team visited Prerna Blind School in Ghotnimbala, Bhadrawati, Chandrapur. Of the 22 children screened, two were referred to HVD: one identified for the Project Prakash congenital cataract programme, and one with a corneal concern. Two children were prescribed spectacles. Five school staff members took part in the awareness session and supported the camp throughout.
Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Blind School, Wardha (6 August)
The final camp was held at Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Blind School in Nalwadi, Wardha. The team screened 17 children and referred three to HVD: one identified for the Project Prakash congenital cataract programme, and two with cataracts outside the programme. Three children were prescribed spectacles. Six staff members joined the awareness session, observed the screening, and appreciated the initiative to bring eye care to their students.
Building Partnerships in Uttar Pradesh
Reaching more children depends on strong local partners. In August, Project Prakash worked closely with district education authorities in two Uttar Pradesh districts to plan the next round of screening camps.
Sitapur
Rakesh Kumar, Assistant Program Manager – Monitoring & Evaluation at Project Prakash, met the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) team in Sitapur, including the District Coordinator and Special Educators. Following the discussions, four paediatric eye screening camps were proposed for 14, 15, 16, and 18 September 2026 through a formal request letter. Rakesh also met the District Basic Education Officer to discuss the planned outreach and strengthen coordination.
Bahraich
In Bahraich, the team met SSA Special Educators and the former In-Charge of Inclusive Education to plan screening camps in the district. Three camps over three days were proposed, with October 2026 as the tentative timeframe. The team also met the District Basic Education Officer, Bahraich, to discuss the proposed activities and strengthen coordination with the education system.
These collaborations will help Project Prakash reach more children, identify vision concerns early, and connect those who need further care with the right eye-care services.
Stories from the Field
Ismail, 8 – Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh
Ismail was born with congenital cataracts in both eyes. His parents first noticed his vision difficulties when he was around four, but hoped his eyesight would improve as he grew older. A few months ago, after a teacher referred him, he visited a local clinic and was prescribed spectacles, which he later broke.
Today, Ismail has nystagmus and very limited vision. He can see only large objects from less than a metre away and needs help to move around and find his way. Vision problems run in his family: his mother has poor vision in both eyes, and his maternal grandfather lost his sight while working as a glassblower.
Ismail attends an early-learning class at a centre for children with disabilities run by Grameen Seva Samiti Sanstha. He has faced bullying at the madrasa because of his visual impairment, yet he remains talkative, active, and playful. He lives with his parents and four siblings, and the family relies on irregular daily-wage work.
Sapna, 19 – Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh
Sapna Nisad, from Rampur Naddi in Jaunpur, was also born with congenital cataracts in both eyes. Her mother noticed signs of vision difficulty during infancy and sought medical advice when Sapna was just three months old. Surgery was suggested for a later date, but the family continued with medication for six years before Sapna was referred to BHU. Despite repeated referrals, she never received treatment.
With very limited vision and slight nystagmus, Sapna can identify shapes, avoid obstacles, and move confidently around her home and familiar surroundings. She even climbs trees. She left school after class five, as unfamiliar environments became harder to navigate and she grew increasingly shy.
At home, Sapna is lively, talkative, and self-reliant. She cleans, washes her own clothes, tends to the family's goats, and helps her mother with household chores. Though reserved around strangers, she is playful and expressive with her family, who love and protect her.
Ismail's and Sapna's stories show how much can depend on timely diagnosis, access to treatment, and supportive learning environments, and why reaching children early matters so much.
💙 Help us reach more children like Ismail and Sapna. Your gift is fully tax-deductible. Project Prakash Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 27-1164796).
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