A New Ray of Hope: Jahidul’s Journey to Clear Vision

Little Jahidul beaming with his family at their home, just days after his successful cataract surgery

In the quiet village of Majhipara near Shambhuganj Bazar in Mymensingh, 7-year-old Jahidul starts each morning with a sense of purpose. A first grader at the local government primary school, he dreams of becoming a teacher someday. But until recently, a silent challenge stood in his way - congenital cataracts in both eyes.

From birth, Jahidul struggled to see the world around him. Reading the blackboard from a distance, identifying letters, or even looking toward the sun became daily battles. His condition often left him feeling isolated in class, unable to keep up despite his eagerness to learn. His family watched with growing concern, familiar with this reality—both his father and grandfather had lived with cataracts. Now, his younger sister, just four years old, shows signs of the same condition.

Jahidul’s father, a fish seller, earns around 6,000 BDT a month—barely enough to cover the basics for the family. Accessing specialized eye care felt out of reach.

One of their relatives who lives near Dr. K Zaman BNSB Eye Hospital told them about Spreeha’s initiative - Drishti: Vision for the Underserved Population, supported by Jeco Foundation Canada. Without wasting time, Jahidul’s family brought him to the hospital for a screening. There, doctors examined him and recommended surgery under the Drishti project. The hospital, one of Spreeha’s key implementing partners, provided the medical care needed to move forward.

Jahidul undergoing screening at the hospital

On July 28, 2025, Jahidul underwent cataract surgery on his right eye.

The procedure was a success.

For the first time, Jahidul could see the blackboard clearly. He could recognize his parents' faces without straining. The blurry, dim world he had grown used to was now filled with light and detail.

“We would never have been able to afford this surgery on our own,” shared his father, Jahangir Alam. “Thanks to Spreeha and Jeco Foundation, our son now has a chance to thrive.”

Jahidul’s story reflects more than a medical success. It’s a quiet transformation of vision, confidence, and possibility. Today, he walks to school with a clearer sense of direction, not just in what he sees, but in who he is becoming.

The story is a part of Drishti: Vision for the Underserved Population project funded by Jeco Foundation, Canada.