Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa

by Eyes of Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa
Restoring Eyesight to Children in Africa

Project Report | Jun 25, 2026
A Child Who Taught Us How to See

By Carly Kruyer | Founder & CEO

Dear Donors,

Each quarter, we screen hundreds of children across vulnerable communities in the Western Cape. Most of our interventions are straightforward: a prescription, a pair of glasses.. But occasionally, a case reminds us why this work reaches far beyond the corrective lens.

This is one of those cases.

During a routine screening, we encountered a child who had been living with blindness in one eye for years, the result of an accident in early childhood. In his community, as in many of the communities we serve, awareness of eye health was limited. He had not been taken for medical care at the time of the injury, and the damage progressed drastically, without treatment, a name or a diagnosis.

We took him to see an ophthalmologist for a thorough assessment. The outcome was difficult: the blindness was permanent. There was nothing to be done for that eye.

What happened next, we did not anticipate.

His response was not anger, and it was not sadness.

He just encouraged children around him and urged them to look after their eyes and he did it with a smile on his face, jokingly advising them to "eat much carrots."

A child who had just received permanent news, redirecting that moment toward others. Not asking for sympathy. Asking other children to protect what he could not get back.

We do not share this story for its sadness. We share it because it illustrates exactly what is at stake when children grow up without access to basic eye health education. The accident that cost him his sight was not unusual. The lack of early intervention that followed was not unusual either. In many of the schools we visit, this is still the norm.

We showed up to help him. He ended up helping us remember why we do this.

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Mar 2, 2026
The Power of Early Detection: Micah's Journey to 6/6 Vision

By Carly Kruyer | Founder and CEO

Oct 28, 2025
Advancing United Nations SDG's

By Carly Kruyer | Founder

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.

Sign up for updates

Organization Information

Eyes of Africa

Location: Cape Town - South Africa
Website:
Facebook: Facebook Page
Project Leader:
Carly Kruyer
Cape Town , South Africa
$5,129 raised of $5,000 goal
 
47 donations
$0 to go
Donate Now

Help raise money!

Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.

Start a Fundraiser

Learn more about GlobalGiving

Teenage Science Students
Vetting +
Due Diligence

Snorkeler
Our
Impact

Woman Holding a Gift Card
Give
Gift Cards

Young Girl with a Bicycle
GlobalGiving
Guarantee

Get incredible stories, promotions, and matching offers in your inbox

WARNING: Javascript is currently disabled or is not available in your browser. GlobalGiving makes extensive use of Javascript and will not function properly with Javascript disabled. Please enable Javascript and refresh this page.