Week 46: Random Acts of Kindness – William Jans sees Seva at work in Tibet
William Jans is a Vancouver-based photographer specializing in people and travel.
This month, William has turned his passion for photography and his love of people to help Seva.
It’s normal for William to travel extensively to gather stories, photos and videos for his live multimedia shows. William’s hilarious shows have been dubbed “a Canadian phenomenon” with over 13 sold-out shows – some with 900 people per night.
This month William made the long and difficult journey to Dartsedo in eastern Tibet where he visited the new Seva-funded Kham Eye Centre.
“I had the good fortune of meeting three sisters (all whom had cataracts) that came in from 1,200 km away (a three-day trip). I got to follow them through the process and they were so sweet. This morning two went back in to have the other eye done and I got to see them when Dr Danba and Dr Hong did the bandage removal,” wrote William.
Here are some of William’s photos of the three Tibetan sisters and the joy of having their sight restored:
Three blind sisters waiting for cataract surgery. The little girl in the background was in an accident and injured her eye. Photo by William Jans.
One of three sisters blinded by cataract has her eyes examined prior to surgery. You can see the cloudy lens. Photo by William Jans
With prayer beads... one of the blind sisters meditates prior to eye surgery to restore her sight. Photo by William Jans
The eldest of the three blind Tibetan sisters was unable to see even to count fingers. Photo by William Jans
“I feel so lucky to have been here and seen and learned so many things,” wrote William in an email. “I have had a chance to meet many of the staff at the Kham Eye Centre and Dr Danba has been so very nice and helpful in showing me around as time permits. This has been so very interesting and I think I will have a good story to tell Canadians about the great work that Seva and the Kham Eye Centre is doing.”
Cataract surgery for one of the sisters. Photo by William Jans
After one sight-restoring surgery, this sister is having her vision tested. Photo by William Jans
Cataract surgery: $50. Gift of sight - priceless. Photo of the three sisters after their sight has been restored. Photo by William Jans
William Jans shares the joy with the three sisters after their sight-restoring eye surgeries at the Kham Eye Centre in Dartsedo
To learn more about William Jans and his multimedia shows visit www.wrjphoto.com where you can join his mailing list.
To learn about Seva’s work in Tibet visit http://www.seva.ca/sevaintibet.htm
