The Christian Ophthalmic Surgery Expedition Network (ChOSEN) is actively recruiting volunteer ophthalmologists, ophthalmic surgical assistants, and surgical nurses for their upcoming eye surgery projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

ChOSEN initiated its work in Congo in 2022. Congo was specifically targeted by our charity because it has > 100 million people with no modern cataract surgery available for public patients and no retina surgery in-country regardless of financial status (patients with financial means needing retina intervention typically travel to Kenya or South Africa for care).

ChOSEN is collaborating with a local Congolese ophthalmologist, an in-country ophthalmologist who directs Christian Blind Mission (CBM), and a pastor who heads an international church in Kinshasa.

• Dates: Typically, for a two-week trip, expect 8-10 operating days and it will involve just eye surgery from our team (no clinic work).
• Equipment / Supplies in Congo are mostly Alcon products and we have 3 Infinitis, 2 Constellations, 2 Visu 160 Zeiss microscopes, and 2 Luxor microscopes.
• We have capabilities of running 4 surgical beds simultaneously (3 cataract and one retina, or 2 cataract and 2 retina stations).
• We are collaborating with the Congolese public hospital system and will use their facilities with our equipment and supplies.
• We are the only ones offering free-of-charge phaco and retina surgery on public patients in Congo. We have plans to expand our operations and acquire our own infrastructure in Kinshasa.
• We distribute French Bibles to all surgical patients and try to plug patients into a church congregation whenever possible.
• All travel/transporation/food/hotel are arranged by ChOSEN and your safety is our priority.
• The hotel accommodations are very good, comparable to a Westin, with WI-FI access.
• These projects are 2-weeks long, and a typical phaco surgeon would perform 12-18 phaco surgeries per operating day.
• Majority of the cataract surgery (60-70%) is done by phaco and the remainder by MSICS.
• Fluency in French is not needed.

Costs:
ChOSEN typically requests an all-inclusive donation amount from Ophthalmologists that includes travel/food/lodging/supplies/skilled staff support for the duration of the project and would be approximately:

Congo: 8-10 operating days (2 week project) --> 12,000-15,000 USD

If an Ophthalmologist is recently out of residency/fellowship, the ChOSEN board will sometimes make the donation on behalf of the volunteer, particularly if the board believes the volunteer will continue to participate with ChOSEN for many years to come in the future.

If the volunteer is an ophthalmic nurse, tech, or pastor, they are not expected to make a donation to participate (just their time and work).

The above donations made by participating Ophthalmologists fund the participation of the skilled assistants needed to conduct the eye surgery during the project.

LONG TERM OPPORTUNITY:  
If anyone has a calling to serve as a long-term missionary or is considering a long-term missions opportunity, please contact ChOSEN to speak with you further regarding such an opportunity in Congo.

You can find out more about ChOSEN by going to their website: https://www.choseneyemission.com/

If you would like to know more about this opportunity, please contact us at: info@christianeye.net, or ChOSEN at chosenmedical@gmail.com