Why Donate to Vision Express

In December 2011, under the leadership and organization of Rakesh Agarwal, CEO of Rug & Home, 8 volunteers from the U.S., including 4 students from Yale University, traveled to India for a 3-day health clinic in the region outside of Varanasi (Benares), India, home to roughly 7 million people. They quickly realized that blindness from cataracts is a widespread problem amongst women in these remote areas. Vision Express was born as a result of this finding. Vision Express aims to restore sight and, one day, eradicate blindness, among the underprivileged population of Indian women.

Every year from 2011 to 2018 Vision Express continued to go on Health Camps setting up general health clinics. The treatments provided grew not only to treat cataract, but also other treatments such as gastric and gynecological to name a few. Some patients who visited were in need of more extensive treatments and surgeries, so Vision Express partnered with the local Ramakrishna Sewashram Hospital in order to provide these treatments. Through this partnership Vision Express is now able to provide and sponsor cataracts and other general surgeries to the underprivileged women in India throughout the year.

During the 2017 Vision Express Health Camp health clinics were set up outside the village schools in the Indian villages of Bikna and Mizapur. The conditions of these schools was shocking compared to United States standards. These school were deteriorating before Vision Express stepped in. The school in Mizapur has two campuses Muhkuchwa Upper and Lower Primary. They had broken doors, windows, and cracks in the walls. There were no desks or chairs for the students, no gates with proper locks for safety and security, and worst of all improper hygiene facilities due to a polluted well, and no usable indoor plumbing. Vision Express adopted these two village schools and the renovations were completed in 2018. In addition to fixing the structural damage, we also renovated unused storage rooms into office space and activity areas. The well was completely redone, and proper bathrooms were added to the school for the first time. The children used to eat their lunch on the ground, so we constructed an outdoor eating area for them as well. It truly shows how blessed we are in the US. You can see before and after photos below.

“The changes done with all the endless effort of Mr. Rakesh Agarwal, have brought impactful changes in our students. The headcount of the school has gone up from 140 students (2018-19) to 240 students (2019-20), and the numbers say it all. Not only did the contributions benefit the new students but also improved the attendance of the current students. They feel wanted and celebrated. The students confidence levels have shot up with the introduction of various facilities and the exposure given in different forms. It has given them purpose of learning great things to achieve success.”
- Mohini, Upper Primary Muhkuchwa School Assistant Teacher

Vision Express’ Vision has certainly expanded since its founding in 2011. Not only are we still striving to eradicate blindness among the underprovided population of Indian women. We are looking for any way we can to eradicate poverty among the rural and under rivaled of India. Our new goal of Better Health, Better Schools, and Better Lives is just one step of making our vision for the future of India a reality.

Worthy cause that restores sight to underprivileged women suffering from cataracts in rural India

$25 can help 1 woman regain vision in a single eye – a small commitment for a big impact

Not only resolves vision impairment, but restores self-worth and removes isolation and shame for the affected females

Vision Express Board of Directors:
Rakesh Agarwal, President - Hendersonville, NC
Carol D. Talbot, Secretary - Asheville, NC
Dr. Saisree Kandala, Treasurer - Hopewell Junction, NY
Julie Fries - Asheville, NC
Dr. Sisira Gorthala - Stony Brook, NY
Aanchal A. Gupta - New York, NY
Dr. Ted Nikolaidis - Hendersonville, NC