Simple Surgery to restore Sight to Ethiopians

On the 24th November I visited an Orbis funded eye clinic in Dita, Southern Ethiopia. During my visit I witnessed a surgery to reverse the causes of trachoma. I was amazed to witness this simple surgery, which costs just €6, which can quite literally change someone's life. The whole procedure took 20 minutes and the patient was on her feet and smiling immediately afterwards. 

While I was waiting to see the surgery, I met a 26 year old woman and her 14 month old son at the clinic. Zerefinesh told me she was worried about Muller's eye and heard that Orbis might be able to help. She had walked for two hours in the hot sun with Muller on her back, to reach the clinic. 

Zerefinesh explained how Muller's eye had been scratched by a rough leaf during a traditional baptismal ceremony. She was concerned that he might be blind in that eye as a result. An Orbis trained Health Care Worker examined Muller's eye and reassured Zerefinesh that he might need minor surgery when he is older but for now his sight should not be affected. 

This experience made me think about the broad changes that Orbis Ireland has made in this area. It shows the trust that exists within this community that Zerefinesh would know to go to Orbis for medical advice. By encouraging people to care about their eye-health, children like Muller will have more hope of leading a happy and healthy life. Eye health is being taken seriously by young mothers and families and is recognised as a priority. This has not always been the case. 

In order to successfully eliminate trachoma in these areas, this growing trust in Orbis' medical expertise and surgeries needs to continue. Your donations are making sure that whole communities receive the surgeries and medical advice they need. Thank you for your generous and continued support of our work.