By Alli
Sinclair
I’m a
glass is half full kinda gal and I like to believe there are more good people
in the world than bad. Travelling has always been a great way to test my theory
and I’m happy to report, my theory of more good people than bad holds up. I’ve
met many, many people willing to give up their time and comforts to go and make
a difference in people’s lives, especially in developing countries.
If you
asked me to name the most inspirational person who has done wonderful volunteer
work and changed the health and welfare of entire communities, there would be
no argument--Frederick “Fred” Cossom Hollows wins, hands down.
Born in
New Zealand in 1929, Fred Hollows studied ophthalmology and moved to Australia
in 1965 where he became an associate professor of ophthalmology at the
University of New South Wales. His interest in charity work had been sparked
while studying in New Zealand, and when he moved to Australia, Fred travelled
to outback Australia and worked with Aboriginal communities. During his time
there, he grew concerned about the high incidence of eye disorders amongst the
Aboriginal people, especially trachoma (a condition that can be treated with
medication).
Fred,
his mother, and others set up an Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern, a
suburb of Sydney with a high indigenous population. From this success, they set
up similar clinics throughout Australia. He organized the Royal Australian
College of Ophthalmologists to establish the National Trachoma and Eye Health
Program. Between 1976-1978, Fred and his team visited more than 460 Aboriginal
communities, treating 62,000 people. As a result, 27,000 people were treated
for trachoma, and another 1,000 received necessary eye operations.
Fred
travelled to Nepal in 1985, Eritrea in 1987, and Vietnam in 1991, training
local technicians to perform life-changing surgery in remote regions. He
organized intraocular lens laboratories in Nepal and Eritrea to provide lenses
at cost (around USD9).
Many of the
people in these countries suffered blindness that could have been fixed with
simple operations. They couldn’t work because they couldn’t see, and it was
impossible to travel to large cities to obtain the help they so desperately
needed. So Fred and his team visited them and found many of the patients had cataracts
that could be removed and the patient could quickly return to work and earn
money for their familes. Eye infections were cleared up with short doses of
antibiotics and within a short while, Fred and his team changed the lives of
many people, and in a lot of cases, entire communities.
In 1992
the Fred Hollows Foundation was formed but unfortunately, only five months
later, Fred passed away from cancer. But thanks to the work of his wife, Gabi,
and friends and family, the Fred Hollows Foundation has grown to the point
where they now work in over 40 countries around the world including the
continents of Asia, Australia, Europe, and Africa.
To give
an example of the work they do, in 2011 (taken from the Fred Hollows Website),
people working with his foundation have:
*
performed eye operations on 282,714 people
*
supported training for 10,757 medical and support staff
*
examined 1,604,802 people
*
delivered $3.38 million of medical equipment
* Built
or upgraded 50 eye health facilities
This man’s
kindness, knowledge, and undying belief that everyone has a right to health has
changed countless lives and communities for the better. Even now, years after
his passing, Fred’s team are and giving millions of people the chance to see
the world and their loved ones and gain back their independence and
self-esteem.
The
world could do with more people like Fred and Gabi Hollows. I can only imagine…
If you
want to find out more about The Fred Hollows Foundation or get involved, please
click here:
http://www.hollows.org.au/our-work
This man is a true global citizen, doing such good work everywhere. An inspiring story, Alli!
ReplyDeleteI agree, what an amazing man. What's also amazing is the simplicity of some of these problems. They aren't life or death to everyone, but to affect a person's livelihood and ability to keep (or put) a roof over their head...reminds us never to take anything for granted, right? Truly remarkable that Fred had the foresight (haha) to change lives this way.
ReplyDeleteAmazing story. Thanks for sharing, Alli!
ReplyDelete