Restoring Vision in Ethiopia within 20 Minutes

Meet Amarech, a strong-willed woman born and raised in the small town of Doko Masho, just outside the Southern Ethiopian city of Arba Minch. From a young age, she dreamt of the opportunities that awaited her in the bustling cities of Arba Minch and Addis Ababa. Despite facing various challenges, she worked tirelessly in different jobs, saving up enough money to make the move to Addis Ababa, where she hoped for a brighter future.

However, life in the capital was not what she had envisioned. The high cost of living and limited opportunities made survival a daily struggle. Amarech took on multiple roles, working as a daily laborer, housemaid, janitor, and more, just to make ends meet. Yet, she remained hopeful and committed to her goals.

After years of perseverance, Amarech finally found stability. She started a family and built a home with her husband, achieving the life she had worked so hard for. But fate took an unexpected turn when she began experiencing eye troubles a few years after the birth of her first son.

Despite visiting various health facilities in Addis Ababa, Amarech struggled to find a solution for her deteriorating eyesight. Misdiagnoses and financial constraints left her without a proper remedy, and she eventually stopped seeking medical help for two years.

A year ago, tragedy struck that forced Amarech and her Family to return to their hometown, Doko Masho. In this unexpected turn of events, Amarech found a silver lining. Settling in Doko Masho, she discovered the Orbis-supported primary eye care unit near her village. Here, she received the long-awaited diagnosis of Trachoma and was advised to undergo immediate surgery. 

The day of her surgery at the Doko Masho health center marked a turning point for Amarech. Despite her initial nervousness, she expressed relief and gratitude. "I am thankful that my pain is finally over" she shared with a smile. Her surgery was performed by two Orbis trained integrated Eye Care Workers, Negatu and Belay. 

Amarech's inspiring journey towards healing and triumph would not have been possible without the invaluable support of donors like you - through your generosity, you enable Orbis to bring critical healthcare services to those in need. Your support has not only transformed Amarech's life but is a beacon of hope for many others facing similar challenges.

Thank you for being a vital part of these life-changing stories.

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Temima experienced excruciating pain due to Trachoma, a highly contagious eye disease that can cause blindness. It begins with eye irritation and, if not treated, results in servere pain and vision loss.

Temima had been infected several times throughout her life, which had caused her eyelashes to turn inwards and with every blink they scratched the surface of her eyes. Unfortunately, her mother had gone blind due to Trachoma. Without proper assistance, Temima was at risk of losing her sight as well.

But Temima received crucial surgery that saved her eyesight, relieving her from pain and preventing her from going blind. Trachoma is a prevalent issue in Ethiopia, putting many people at risk of losing their vision. However, with the help of antibiotics, surgery, and improved hygiene and sanitation, we can work towards putting an end to this disease. By working together, we can eliminate trachoma in Ethiopia and ensure that no one suffers from avoidable blindness.