Restoring Vision in South Sudan: Dispatches From the Duk Lost Boys Clinic

Main Navigation

December 20, 2011

Restoring Vision in South Sudan: Dispatches From the Duk Lost Boys Clinic

Dr. Geoff Tabin at the Duk Lost Boys Clinic, South Sudan

Jordan Campbell (pictured below) is on a medical mission to the remote and underserved region of Duk Payuel in South Sudan, the world’s newest country. He is assisting two ophthalmic surgeons—Dr. Geoff Tabin and Dr. Alan Crandall, both game-changers in the way eye care is being delivered in the developing world. Their work begins in the Duk Lost Boys Clinic, which was stared by John Dau, one of the original Lost Boys of Sudan and a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. Campbell is a Marmot Ambassador Athlete based in Colorado.

DAY 1

Flying over South Sudan’s vast and desolate landscape, brush fires blaze thousands of feet below us, wafting smoke over the wings of our eight-person aircraft. The fires are lit intentionally by the numerous indigenous tribes to fertilize the parched, unforgiving soil. But the sight of plumes coming from the ground also makes me nervous. Despite South Sudan’s recent independence in July 2011, the world’s newest country has been plagued by 40 years of civil war with their northern neighbors in Sudan, and the situation between the now two countries remains tenuous.

Seated next to me are two ophthalmic surgeons—Dr. Geoff Tabin and Dr. Alan Crandall, both game-changers in how eye care is being delivered in the developing world. If Africa is a gaping hole for the blind and underserved, South Sudan is ground-zero.

We descend through the smoky haze and touch down lightly on a dirt airstrip in the remote outpost of Duk Payuel. We’re greeted by dozens of Dinka villagers, many hopeful that our medical team can restore vision to their family members and friends. Towering over all of them at 6'8" and dressed smartly in a pressed white shirt and slacks is John Dau, one of the original Lost Boys of Sudan and the founder of the Duk Lost Boys Clinic, which treats everything from malaria and leprosy to cobra bites.

Tabin (center), Crandall (blue scrubs), and Dau (right) working in the clinic

Tabin and Crandall have teamed up with Dau to bring eye-care to the Jonglei state in South Sudan for the first time. Their goal is to treat as many cases of unnecessary cataract blindness—which is rampant throughout the region—in a bold, five-day mission.

For Dau, the Lost Boys Clinic represents his life’s work. In 1987, then 14-year-old Dau fled Duk Payuel when the northern Khartoum army invaded. He and thousands of other young boys fled on a dangerous journey to Ethiopia and Kenya, where they banded together in refugee camps for more than a decade. Dau ultimately relocated to the U.S. and made his new home in Syracuse, New York. In 2003, Dau returned to his original home in Duk for the first time, where his vision for the clinic was born.

Dr. Geoff Tabin and a patient at the Duk Lost Boys Clinic, South Sudan

Day 2

It's day two and the sun sizzles at high noon. Tabin and Crandall have already performed 26 back-to-back surgeries today in a sweaty, makeshift operating room. Swarms of Dinka, Nuer, and other tribe members cue-up outside the clinic—some have walked as many as four days for their chance to see again. The doctor duo hopes to perform more than 250 cataract surgeries before they fly back to Utah where they both lead international eye care programs (www.cureblindness.org and www.moraneyecenter.org).

Tomorrow the doctors will begin removing bandages from the surgeries they performed the day before. Virtually all of the patients will see clearly or for the first time in years. And all of us will watch as smiles and tears of joy erupt on the patients' faces.

Still, dozens will be turned away with the short time allotted. But for Tabin, Crandall, and Dau, remarkable social entrepreneurs that have descended on Duk Payuel, it’s a start for greater days ahead.

Posted at 03:10 PM in Adventure Travel, Adventurers of the Year, Africa | Permalink

The comments to this entry are closed.

Comments

Posted by: Hai | February 26, 2012 at 11:41 PM

Thank you very much for your kind hearts! I am very happy when I see more kind hearted people helping the poor! Great Hearts! I love all of you! All best wishes to all of you!
http://www.worldmatetravel.com/vietnam-adventure-tours.html
http://www.worldmatetravel.com/vietnam-tours.html
http://www.worldmatetravel.com/indochina-tours.html
http://www.worldmatetravel.com/halong-bay-cruise-tours.html
http://www.worldmatetravel.com/mekong-cruise-tours.html

Posted by: David Ng | February 26, 2012 at 02:27 AM

Wonderful work being done in Africa. Sadly a lot of work still needed.

Posted by: Christian Fourie | February 06, 2012 at 02:57 AM

What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do -- especially in other people's minds. When you're travelling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road.

Posted by: Flights to Entebbe | February 03, 2012 at 05:21 AM

I impressed to you guys.

Posted by: Dresses | December 30, 2011 at 07:47 PM

Very useful information. Thanks for sharing this. Your post is really good to the point I have to agree to all of those.

http://www.medtravel.com/

Posted by: Account Deleted | December 29, 2011 at 05:02 AM

I amazed to you guys. Keep it up.

Posted by: What to do in London | December 28, 2011 at 09:57 AM

It is great post. thanks for sharing this, i hope other people may follow through.

Posted by: Travel to England | December 28, 2011 at 09:56 AM

This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post.

Posted by: maldives travel agent | December 28, 2011 at 08:38 AM

Posted by: ugg shoes | December 27, 2011 at 03:57 AM

Christian Louboutin Daffodile 160mm Pony Zebra PumpsChristian Louboutin Daffodile 160mm Pumps BlackChristian Louboutin Daffodile 160mm Suede Pumps ChartreuseChristian Louboutin Decocolico Mary Jane Suede Pumps ClaretChristian Louboutin Decollete 100 Pumps BlackChristian Louboutin Decollete 100 Pumps CaramelChristian Louboutin Decollete 100 Pumps OstrichChristian Louboutin Decollete 100 Pumps PinkChristian Louboutin Decollete 100 Pumps PythonChristian Louboutin Decollete 100 Pumps YellowChristian Louboutin Decollete 100 Suede Pumps BlueChristian Louboutin Decollete 100 Suede Pumps GreyChristian Louboutin Decollete 100 Suede Pumps RedChristian Louboutin Deja Vu 150mm SlingbacksChristian Louboutin Delic Glitter Pumps BlackChristian Louboutin Delic Glitter Pumps BronzeChristian Louboutin Delic Leather Pumps BlackChristian Louboutin Delic Leather Pumps BrownChristian Louboutin Delic Leather Pumps PinkChristian Louboutin Delic Suede Pumps BlueChristian Louboutin Delic Suede Pumps BrownChristian Louboutin Delic Suede Pumps MagentaChristian Louboutin Dillian Flower Pumps BlackChristian Louboutin Dillian Flower Pumps Pink

Thank you for sharing this article. I love it. Keep on writing this type of great stuff.

Posted by: india to maldives cruise | December 27, 2011 at 03:43 AM

I am looking forward to the next show, I hope it will be full of passion and exciting things.

Posted by: north face outlet | December 27, 2011 at 12:44 AM

Hi..I am reading your page for a few days now is there any way to subscribe by email

http://www.commercialcleaningnewyork.com/

Posted by: denver business attorney | December 26, 2011 at 03:06 AM

Great adventure guys, i like to follow your style in doing adventure.

Posted by: Healthy Options | December 25, 2011 at 10:48 AM

Interesting post. Thanks.

Posted by: evening dresses | December 24, 2011 at 09:01 AM

This is one of the best good travel i so so far... Traveling while doing the medical mission. Great guys

Posted by: prom dresses | December 24, 2011 at 09:00 AM

Just go ahead. Love your things and stories.....

Posted by: wedding dresses | December 24, 2011 at 08:56 AM

You are such an inspiration to young people who have the skills and wherewithal to help those less fortunate, and do not.
Without prejudging, I think too many people are too selfish and uncaring to see the uselessness of their empty lifestyles. And too blinded by constant pleasure to read about lives different from their own.
Your work reminds me of the selfless medical teams from my hospital in Australia who used to ship off to help in the hospitals and fields during the Vietnam War.
Thank you for your article. It touched me deeply.

Posted by: Joanna Moran | December 23, 2011 at 11:44 PM

i think you can get more readers if you interviewed controversial people for your blog

Posted by: ashish Dulal | December 23, 2011 at 10:01 PM

best adventure experience interesting blog thanks adventure destination here also http://basecamptrekking.com/

Posted by: shankar banjara | December 23, 2011 at 09:59 PM

Nice article, adventure and travel and yet you can get good moral character by helping others.

Posted by: Healthy Options | December 23, 2011 at 07:54 PM

I impressed to you guys, i give 10 thumbs up. I hope other traveller and adventurer to the same thing.

Posted by: Online Shopping | December 23, 2011 at 07:53 PM

It is one of the best experience in adventure, helping other nations community.

Posted by: Travel to UK | December 23, 2011 at 07:52 PM

This is my first time i visit here. I found so many entertaining stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the good work.

Posted by: aprilio | December 23, 2011 at 03:15 PM