Vision on Wheels | Desai Foundation
A Desai Foundation Initiative  ·  Odisha, India

Vision on Wheels

Bringing life-changing eye care to the remote districts of Gajapati & Rayagada

Aug 2025 – Ongoing 166+ Camps Conducted 13,377+ Screened Lifetime JAGUAR R&C · CCD Odisha
13,377+ Beneficiaries Screened (Lifetime) 4,453+ Spectacles Distributed 754 Referred for Advanced Care 45 Surgeries Completed 166+ Camps · Gajapati & Rayagada 2,838+ Eye Drops Provided 13,377+ Beneficiaries Screened (Lifetime) 4,453+ Spectacles Distributed 754 Referred for Advanced Care 45 Surgeries Completed
Program Lifetime Totals  ·  Aug 2025 – Present

The Full Journey
So Far

From a first quarter of 53 camps to a lifetime program reaching tens of thousands — every number tells a life changed.

Lifetime Camps
166+
across Gajapati & Rayagada
Quarter 1 (Aug – Nov 2025)
Camps53
Screened2,871
Spectacles799
Referrals313
Surgeries30
Growth
Program Lifetime Total
Camps166+
Screened13,377+
Spectacles4,453+
Referrals754
Surgeries45
366%
More camps since
Q1
366%
Increase in
beneficiaries
457%
More spectacles
distributed
141%
More referrals
made

Quarter 1 Snapshot

16 Aug – 15 Nov 2025 · Gajapati & Rayagada, Odisha · 40+ Villages Covered

0
Beneficiaries Screened
Across 53 camps in the reporting quarter
0
Referred for Treatment
Referred for advanced eye care & surgery
0
Spectacles Distributed
Free spectacles for immediate vision restoration
0
Eye Drops Provided
Preventive & treatment eye drops distributed
0
Surgeries Completed
Cataract surgeries restoring full independence
0
Awareness Sessions
Eye health, hygiene & preventive care sessions

Month-by-Month Progress

From 412 in Month 1 to 1,560 in Month 3 — a 279% rise in beneficiaries, reflecting growing community trust and operational scale.

PeriodCampsScreenedSpectacles Eye DropsReferredSurgeriesAwareness
Month 116 Aug – 15 Sep 13412 98381321719
Month 216 Sep – 15 Oct 21899 24724480021
Month 316 Oct – 15 Nov 191,560 4544371011314
Total532,871 799719313 3054
Beneficiary Growth Trajectory — Quarter 1
0 400 800 1200 1600 412 Month 1 899 Month 2 1,560 Month 3
279% growth across Q1

Program Intelligence

Data-driven insight into how Vision on Wheels delivers impact where it matters most.

Quarter 1 Outreach Mix

Beneficiaries Screened2,871
Spectacles Distributed799
Eye Drops Provided719
Referrals for Surgery313
Awareness Sessions54

Camp Activity by Month — Q1

53 Q1 Camps
Month 1 (Aug–Sep) — 13 camps
Month 2 (Sep–Oct) — 21 camps
Month 3 (Oct–Nov) — 19 camps

Operational Milestones — Aug 2025 to Present

Aug 16
Program
Launch
Sep
SurveyCTO
Deployed
2 Hired
Optometrists
Onboarded
13,377+
Beneficiaries
Lifetime
166+
Total
Camps
Next
School
Screenings

A Legacy of Compassion

In the remote, hilly terrains of rural Odisha, where narrow monsoon-soaked roads and limited access to healthcare leave thousands vulnerable, The Desai Foundation Trust, supported by SCOR SE – India Branch and partnering with CCD Odisha on the ground, is driving the Vision on Wheels revolution.

Since launch, the program has screened 13,377+ beneficiaries across 166+ camps — providing first-time eye care to remote tribal communities in Chandragiri, Mohana, and Gunupur. A digital field system (SurveyCTO), trained optometrists, and community mobilization via Our Heroes in Odia and Kui language continue to drive this growth.

From 412 screened in Month 1 to 13,377+ lifetime — the trajectory tells the real story of scale, trust, and impact.

Vision on Wheels impact in Odisha
13,377+ Screened Lifetime

Navigating Obstacles

Success in rural Odisha comes by overcoming unique regional challenges every single day.

Human Resources

Key staff withdrawals in remote areas require resilient, ongoing recruitment and capacity-building strategies that sustain the program's momentum.

Difficult Terrain

Narrow roads and dense hilly forests in Gajapati make travel treacherous during monsoon, demanding careful route planning and local knowledge.

Community Awareness

Continuous, culturally-sensitive motivation is needed to overcome deeply rooted fears around surgical procedures and unfamiliar medical care.

Infrastructure

Securing safe, accessible, large-scale parking for the mobile eye-care van in hilly pockets remains an active logistical challenge on each visit.

Voices of Resilience

Behind every statistic is a human being who deserved to see the world clearly.

"

I had cataract surgeries years ago but feared returning for more care — the process was stressful and needed guardians. When Vision on Wheels visited our village, the team patiently built my trust and assured me of a smooth, guardian-free process. Today I follow my medications and enjoy clearer vision and renewed independence.

"

I had lived with blurred vision for nearly five years without ever seeing a doctor. I first learned about the camp through Community Heroes whose words encouraged me to come forward. After cataract surgery I began experiencing clearer vision in the operated eye. I trusted the process despite all barriers.

Sindhba Village — A First

Vision on Wheels reached Sindhba village for the first time — a place where access to eye care had always been a major challenge. Most residents had never undergone an eye check-up in their lives.

When the eye-testing van arrived at their doorstep, villagers gathered in large numbers, eager to finally receive care. A total of 115 people were screened during the camp — many for the very first time.

The visit not only addressed immediate eye-care needs but built long-term awareness, encouraging villagers to prioritise their vision health. The camp marked a lasting shift in mindset — reinforcing the value and reach of Vision on Wheels.

115
People Screened
in a Single Camp
First-ever eye check-up Community mobilization Remote tribal village Lasting mindset shift

Plan of Action — Next Quarter

With a stronger foundation, the next phase targets 9,000 screenings and expanded district coverage.

01

School Screenings

Conducting eye-check camps in schools from end of November — ensuring higher, consistent daily footfall and significantly boosting quarterly targets.

02

Strategic Village Coverage

Focusing on larger, nearby populations rather than isolated high-terrain areas — improving productivity and reducing transit time.

03

Ophthalmologist Deployment

An ophthalmologist will be on-boarded by end of November to support school camps, increase clinical credibility, and improve referral accuracy.

04

Quarterly Target

Based on improved operations and 120–130 community beneficiaries per day, the program aims to comfortably achieve 9,000 screenings next quarter.

As Featured In

Connect, Partner, or Join Us

Whether you want to enquire about Vision on Wheels, become a community partner, or support our mission — we'd love to hear from you.

General Enquiry

Have a question about Vision on Wheels, our screening process, or how we work? Reach out to the Desai Foundation directly.

Become a Partner or Member

Join hands with Vision on Wheels as a community partner, NGO collaborator, or individual member. Together we can expand our reach to more tribal districts.

CCD Odisha — On-Ground Partner

Centre for Community Development (CCD) Odisha is our trusted implementation partner driving Vision on Wheels across Gajapati and Rayagada districts.