Mohit Ram, a barber from Bargaon village in the district of Durg, Madhya Pradesh has his joy tripled.

Misfortune just struck his family 10 years ago when his second child was born blind. Subsequently, he had two more children both blind. Despite a meager salary Mohit Ram took his children wherever he could for treatment in vain. Finally, at a medical camp at Raipur he was firmly told by the doctors that he should not harbour any hope that his children may regain vision. He had no future for his children.

When Mohit Ram heard about the Lifeline Express, he was reluctant to take his chance. However after much persuasion from his villagers, a few who had already benefited from the Lifeline Express, he took his three blind children to the surgical camp.

On 16th February 1999, all the three children were operated for Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction with posterior capsulatomy with Infra Occular Lenses (IOL) on the right eye. They showed excellent recovery and were further operated on the left eye on 20thFebruaryl999.

Today, Mohit Ram has his faith restored . All three of his children have a bright future with vision in both their eyes.

Mohit Ram with his three children

Operation on right eye

Operation on left eye

Fate smiled on IMPACT India when Alex Patrick - Smith chanced to sit next to Mrs. Zelma Lazarus, Chief Executive Office Impact Asia-Pacific in a domestic flight. He was so fascinated with the ambitious Lifeline Express project and with the far reaching effects of its magical touch that he decided  

Alex and Dana

on the spot to spend a year long honeymoon with his bride-to-be, Dana, cycling around the world to raise funds for the Hospital Train.

This dream became a reality when the Patrick Smiths began the first phase of their journey in South Africa on 28th July 1995. The 3,075 Km of tedious travelling in Africa was completed in 8 weeks and raised funds GBP 25,000 which is exactly half their target they wished to achieve. Since they have personally covered the cost of their expenditure, all funds raised will go directly to IMPACT. 

The second phase of Alex and Dana's travel is the Indian experience which will cover 3000 Km of cycling on rough terrain. On 18th October 1995, Alex and Dana arrived in Raigarh to see the Lifeline Express serving the tribal belt of Madhya Pradesh. They were immensely satisfied to see for themselves the quality of service being administered to the most needy of the country.

In Alex's words: "The atmosphere on the train is purposeful, efficient and relaxed. Everybody working was there because of their social conscience, keen at the opportunity to make some difference to the lives of those who had arrived to be treated."