By Sarah Moorhead | Development Manager
Halge is a mother of five children and she works as a farmer. Her husband passed away two years ago. For four months Halge suffered with the dreadful pain of trachoma. Both eyes were affected and her eyelids had turned inwards. This meant that every time she blinked her eyelashes would scratch the cornea and cause agonising pain. As the pain and discomfort grew, she was unable to cook for her children as the heat from the fire aggravated her condition.
Her 13 year old son, Kunse accompanied her to the clinic in Konso. He was forced to drop out of school when his father passed away in order to help with the farm and looking after his four siblings. Kunse was understandably very scared when he saw his mother on the operating table. Zinabu, an Orbis trained integrated eye care worker, spoke to Halge throughout the surgery and reassured Kunse that he was helping his mother.
Halge’s surgery took less than 20 minutes. She was given a local anaesthetic so felt no pain. She was also given an antiseptic cream to take home and apply to her eyes until they were fully healed.
Luckily Kunse was on hand to help his mother. He bent down and put her shoes on for her then took her hand to lead her out of the operating room.
It is with thanks to our most generous donors that allows Orbis to continue to train eye care workers like Zinabu. These eye care workers are vital to the elimination of trachoma. Allowing more women like Halge to regain their sight.
THANK YOU!
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