By Ciara Hennebry | Development Manager
In rural southern Ethiopia, 58-year-old Belay used to enjoy spending time with her children and husband. She grew and sold a local crop called enset, and they scraped by. But her children married and her husband passed away, leaving her all alone.
Belay had already lost sight in her left eye due to glaucoma. Then in September, Belay suffered vision loss and unbearable pain in her right eye. She became isolated from her community. Because she could no longer work, she fell ever deeper into poverty.
Sadly, this story is not unusual in a country where there is limited access to quality health care. Many people in communities across Ethiopia suffer from treatable and preventable illnesses like trachoma. But they often encounter barriers to receiving the care they need.
Belay's fortunes took a life-changing turn when her nephew brought her to a local health center. After examining Belay, they told her they could not provide the care she needed. But they referred her to an Orbis-supported eye health center an hour away.
Belay and her nephew made the long journey to Agenna Health Center. An Orbis-trained health worker confirmed the trachoma diagnosis and gave her pain-relieving medicine. They also scheduled her urgent surgery to restore her sight.
"I expect my surgery to be successful and to see clearly again. I would like to sell enset again and do all the things I want without my vision being a problem.” ~ Belay, just before going into surgery.
Belay’s surgery went very well, and it was just in time to save her sight. If Belay hadn't been able to get the treatment she needed for her trachoma, she would have experienced irreversible blindness.
Supporters like you help Orbis in the fight to prevent and treat avoidable blindness for people like Belay.
Thank you.
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