Cure Blindness Project

In his words:

"For the past three years, my vision has been deteriorating to near blindness. As a 76-year-old miner from Chunya region of Tanzania, I watched helplessly as cataracts clouded my vision, first in my left eye, then in my right. The gradual loss of sight took a heavy toll on my life and work. Reading the news, a beloved daily ritual, became impossible. My smartphone, once a vital connection to the world, was replaced with a basic phone. Navigating my gold mines in Chunya became a perilous task, and the loss of vision left me vulnerable to dishonesty by some of my own employees.

I sought treatment three times, hoping for a solution. Each visit ended in disappointment, with doctors referring me to other hospitals. Just as I was preparing for a fourth attempt, luck intervened. An outreach program by Cure Blindness Project and Helen Keller International, in collaboration with the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, brought hope to my doorstep. They offered free cataract surgeries, and I knew this was my chance.

The surgery itself was a straightforward procedure. I was filled with a mix of anticipation and hope as the medical team worked on my eyes. When the bandages came off the next day, I blinked in disbelief. I was the first person to have their bandages removed. The world around me came into sharp focus. I could see clearly for the first time in three years. The colors, the light, and the faces of the people around me were a sight for sore eyes. There was a bit of haziness initially but it soon begun to clear and the doctors assured me it would only get better within the coming weeks.

The first thing I did was test my new vision. I looked at my surroundings, taking in the details I had missed for so long. The joy I felt was overwhelming. The next thing I did was phone my kids and some relatives to share the joy.

Returning to my gold mines with clear vision will be a revelation. The work that had become a dangerous struggle will now be manageable and thrilling once again. I will be able to supervise my employees effectively and ensure the operations run smoothly. The threat of being taken advantage of will no longer exist. 

I want to share a message with others who might be suffering as I did: Do not lose hope. If cataracts or any other affliction has taken your vision, seek treatment. Vision is the most important thing in life. It brings independence, confidence, and joy. The outreach program gave me back my sight, my work, and my passion for life."