Schanzer Eye Institute

09/22/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DjGMz2EAj/

09/13/2026

https://schanzereyeinstitute.com/thank-you-from-serabu/

Thank You, From Serabu by bkwatson | Sep 10, 2026 | blog, Cathy's Updates, Schanzer Eye Institute | 0 comments Thank You, From Serabu The families your generosity put in school have something to say — in their own words and their own voices. Field update by Tom Lewis  |  Serabu, Sierra Leone Som...

06/26/2026

https://mailchi.mp/b9e819146c3f/06262026

The 20-Year Anniversary celebration was held on Saturday, June 20. Numerous dignitaries from Sierra Leone made their way to join the festivities. Presentations about the history and accomplishments of Southern Eye Clinic were made by management team members. The keynote address was delivered by the....

06/23/2026

https://mailchi.mp/76422d10ee21/062326?e=b93a3afe25

06/19/2026

https://mailchi.mp/1275eb6e4a8d/tomupdate061926

Our 45th and last anniversary celebration occurred two years ago today, on the steps of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Serabu. It was a wonderful surprise celebration. Cathy died twelve days before our next anniversary.

06/11/2026

https://mailchi.mp/cef931eb23f2/morejuneupdates

Tom recently spent a few productive days in the capital city of Freetown, meeting with key national leaders who work hand-in-hand with the Southern Eye Clinic to advance vision care across Sierra Leone.

06/10/2026

https://mailchi.mp/ec46b7e4315e/rough-roads-no-more-tom-has-arrived-in-serabu-18001566

The entire region has gathered at the field for one of the most anticipated events of the summer: The 10-Village Bumpe Cup Tournament. This year's games carry a profound meaning for our community, as the entire tournament has been officially dedicated to the memory of Dr. Cathy Schanzer, our beloved...

06/05/2026

❤️ Honoring a Legacy of Love: One Year Without Dr. Cathy 🕊️🇸🇱

Today, the community of Serabu, Sierra Leone, gathered together in a deeply moving prayer service to remember and celebrate our beloved co-founder, Dr. Cathy Schanzer, marking exactly one year since she went home to be with the Lord.

Tom shared a beautiful reflection on the lessons of perseverance and patience Dr. Cathy taught him, reminding us all of her lifelong dedication to this mission. Local community members and church leaders also stood up to share their personal memories, highlighting how she touched individual lives, families, and the entire region with her kindness and hard work. One of the most powerful reminders shared today was her favorite acronym for J-O-Y: Jesus, Others, and then You. That is truly how she lived every single day.

From her beautiful resting place here in Serabu to the thriving clinic that continues to restore sight daily, her spirit is woven into every part of this village.

We are so incredibly grateful to the Catholic community of Serabu, the local leaders, and everyone who came out to pray, sing, and remember the massive impact she left behind. Her legacy is alive, well, and forever focused on eternity.

Please continue to keep Tom, our local staff, and the entire Serabu family in your prayers this week.

👉 If you would like to help us carry Dr. Cathy’s vision forward into the next 20 years, please visit our website to explore our new Seesaw Ministry recurring partnership tiers: [Insert Website Link]

06/03/2026

🚗 Updates from the field: The Serabu Highway! 🇸🇱

Tom has officially arrived in Sierra Leone and is sharing this incredible update on his way into the village!

For anyone who has traveled with us over the last two decades, you know that the 32-mile stretch from Bo to Serabu historically meant a grueling 2-to-3-hour journey on rough, red-dirt roads filled with ruts and potholes. When Dr. Cathy and Tom first started coming here back in 2005, it used to take about 16 hours just to get from Freetown to Serabu!

Look at it now! The government has put in a beautiful new paved highway, and they are currently working on connecting the very last 3-mile stretch directly into Serabu. Soon, there will be smooth, concrete roads running all the way from the airport in Lungi and Freetown straight to our clinic gates.

This infrastructure change is a game-changer for our patients, making healthcare accessibility safer, faster, and smoother than ever before. God is good!

Keep following along as we celebrate our 20th anniversary all month long!

👉 Want to help us keep this momentum moving forward? Consider joining one of our new Seesaw Ministry weekly, monthly, or yearly partnership tiers to support our ongoing work in the clinic and the community: [Insert Website Link]

06/02/2026

✈️ Next Stop: Serabu!

Tom is officially on the plane and heading back to Sierra Leone via Morocco and Freetown! This trip is an incredibly special one as we mark a major milestone: our 20-year anniversary.

We have a beautiful lineup of village festivities planned over the next few weeks, including cultural activities, a computer contest, a spelling bee, and the highly anticipated Bumpy Cup football tournament! 🏆

Amidst the celebration, we are also gathering for a very special prayer service this Thursday, June 4th, to honor Dr. Cathy on the 1-year anniversary of her passing. Her legacy continues to guide every step we take.

We are also keeping a vigilant eye on the Ebola reports coming out of the Congo region. While there are no current cases headed toward West Africa or Sierra Leone, we are maintaining a high level of caution to keep our community safe.

Tom will be sharing updates and memories live from the mission throughout June until he returns to the States at the end of the month. Thank you all so much for your continuous prayers, your love, and your unwavering support!

Keep the Seesaw moving! 🇸🇱✨

Trip