In March 2019, Lokana and RDT will conduct eye camps in the Chenchu villages in the Eastern portion of Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. These villages, including Palutla and Yerragondapalem, are particularly remote – Some are not easily accessible by vehicles, especially in the rainy season.
Eye Care
Eye Camp – Southern Nallamala Forest – Nov 2018
Our second comprehensive eye camps refined the processes developed in the Central Nallamala forest camp. In the villages of Nandigudem, Chilakacherla, Mallikarjunapuram, and Y-Cherlopalli, we examined nearly 600 patients. As before, we chose for our location a schoolhouse that was modified to be an eye clinic with the help of eager schoolchildren (See video). A
Eye Camp – Central Nallamala Forest – Feb 2018
Our first comprehensive eye camp was a great success, screening over 500 people. We chose the villages of Chinthala, Thummalabailu, Marripalem, and Peddacheruvu, because they were the highest visibility villages, and we had significant relationships with the community members already. We partnered with RDT/FVF and Goutami Eye Institute-Rajahmundry. Prior to conducting our clinic, we met with leaders of
Exploratory Survey – Oct 2017
This visit built the foundation for subsequent eye camps. I visited the central Chenchu villages along the Srisailam-Dornala road starting in my once-home village of Thummalabailu. In re-connecting with people I once knew, I asked about what access they have to eye care currently. I learned that in the forest areas themselves, there is no eye