Lavhali, a small tribal hamlet tucked deep in the hills of Ambernath taluka, had long remained outside the map of healthcare. For villagers here, reaching a doctor meant an exhausting day-long journey on foot and bus. By the time they arrived, treatment was either too late, too costly, or out of reach altogether.
It was in this backdrop that Lakshya Foundation, along with our partners, decided to bring healthcare to the very doorstep of the people. On 26th April 2010, Lavhali witnessed something it had never seen before—an entire team of doctors, nurses, volunteers, and community leaders setting up a full-scale medical camp right in the village square.
The morning began with a quiet buzz. Word had already spread across neighboring hamlets. From the very first hour, tribal families—men, women, children, and elders—arrived in groups. Some came barefoot, others carried infants in their arms, and a few were led by younger relatives because they could no longer see well.
The Foundation had arranged transportation for the distant hamlets, ensuring that no villager would be denied care because of distance. By mid-morning, the venue had transformed into a lively yet disciplined health center. Registration desks, makeshift clinics, eye-testing stations, and a space for distribution of medicines—all were neatly organized by our volunteers.
Inside the camp, villagers experienced the novelty of specialized care for the very first time:
By the end of the day, around 300 villagers from Lavhali, Sambari, Boradpada, Varyachi Vadi, and Kurhadpada had been examined. For the region, this was more than numbers—it was a first brush with dignity in healthcare.
The doctors were pleasantly surprised. Contrary to the stereotype of malnourished tribal communities, most villagers were found to be in reasonably good health. But the real revelation lay in the eyes.
27 individuals were diagnosed with cataracts—a condition that would have led to permanent blindness if left untreated. The camp ensured that every single one of them was enrolled for free cataract surgeries at Bacchu Ali Eye & ENT Hospital, Parel. For people who had resigned themselves to a life of darkness, this was nothing short of a miracle.