Vachik’s Story

Villager Gets Care Thanks to Mobile Eye Hospital

Vachik lives with his family on the border of Armenia and Azebaijan — where the fighting continues and there is ongoing sniper fire. The residents can’t cultivate their land for fear they will be attacked, which has resulted in widespread poverty throughout the villages.

A few years ago, Vachik was shot in the leg on his own land and was unable to do much of anything. At the same time, his eyesight failed and he wasn’t able to care for himself or his family — relying on his wife and children.

Since 2002, our Mobile Eye Hospital has been visiting these remote villages to provide eye care to people like Vachik.

John Heffern, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, says “the beautiful thing about the EyeCare Project is that they don’t just say you have a problem, they say we want to help.”

After being provided with eyeglasses at no cost by the EyeCare Project, Vachik says, “For the first time in a year I can read a book — I can see my grandchild.”

Vachik can now walk on his land without being afraid he is going to trip on the rocks.