Restoring sight in Rwanda

There is no way to give Josephine back her family. But thanks to the support of our donors The Fred Hollows Foundation were able to give her back her sight.

Restoring sight is a tangible and practical way of giving people who are blind another chance at life. For Josephine that is exactly how she felt.

April 7 is Rwanda's National Day of Mourning to remember and grieve the lives of those lost during the terrible atrocities. Before her successful cataract operations it was impossible for Josephine to attend the annual remembrance ceremony.

"The National Day of Mourning is a very important time for me," Josephine said, "because all of my family members perished in the violence. During this week, I mourn. I meditate about what happened."

"I have had double pain. I have not been able to see and because of this I have not been able to attend the National Day of Mourning. I have been unable to see what other people have been going through or join them in remembering the lives of our lost loved ones."

This year will be different for Josephine. This year, she can see again.

"I was blind for five years. I felt hopeless during those five years but after the operations I feel like I am alive again."

Josephine's eyesight was restored by Dr Dembele, an ophthalmologist from Kigali, who travels to the eye unit in the town of Gisenyi in Western Rwanda. The Fred Hollows Foundation pays allowances and accommodation fees for this doctor so he can visit once a month.

In some developing countries, a donation of $25, $50, $250 or $500 can restore the sight to one, two, or many more people just like Josephine.  

It is hard imagine what it must have been like during the shocking violence in Rwanda in 1994. To lose one's entire family, especially in this way, is almost incomprehensible.

It has taken years to begin to heal this country but restoring eyesight is a tangible, practical way of making a difference.

The Fred Hollows Foundation has built and supplied equipment to the first Eye Surgical Unit in the Western Province of Rwanda. We have trained 58 health staff to screen and refer patients to the Gisenyi Eye Unit for treatment. We have supported an Ophthalmologist to visit the eye unit once a month to conduct surgical treatments.

We are proud of what we have achieved, but there is still so much more to be done.

Help the Foundation raise money to support and expand this important work in Rwanda, and in other places like this.

Fred Hollows always said that Africa was one of the reasons he became an ophthalmologist.

"I discovered that one of the most useful things a doctor could do there was take out a cataract."

He saw that "health care is part of an economic process of lessening dependency. It's not a band-aid measure".

It is 15 years this February since Fred Hollows died.

Fred's gone, but his vision has not.

Thanks to the generous support of our donors hundreds of people are given back their livelihoods and futures every day. But there are still many more people who need our help.  

In some countries, as little as $25 can help restore sight to one eye, $50 can help us restore sight to two eyes. 

Before her operations, Josephine said, "There was little family to look after me. The person who helped me most was my grandchild Alin."

"I was overjoyed to get the surgery. During it I felt no pain."

"Now, I see. I see! I can see very well."

With your help we can continue to fulfil Fred's vision of eliminating avoidable blindness.

We will continue to go into the most challenging countries where the need is greatest, countries like Bangladesh, Laos and Kenya.

With your help, The Foundation will train staff, supply equipment, plan strategies, build clinics and put in place systems that will save the sight, the livelihoods, and perhaps the reason for living, of people like Josephine.

In telling her story, Josephine leaned over, and said:

"I am very happy. Please give my message to the other people who need help and say thank you to the doctors that helped me". 

In thanking the doctors, she was really thanking The Foundation's supporters, who make it possible for the doctors to be there.

Rwanda Program Achievements

Program Location: Gisenyi, Western Province of Rwanda

• Conducted the first ever survey into the occurrence and causes of avoidable blindness in the Western Province of Rwanda. This survey is called a Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB). Prior to this study there had been little information about blindness in Rwanda.
• Funded the construction of the Gisenyi Eye Unit. This is currently the only available surgical eye care facility in the Western Province of Rwanda, servicing a population of 2.25 million people.
• Supplied all equipment for the Gisenyi Eye Unit. This includes all testing and surgical equipment required for a regional eye surgical unit.
• Trained 58 health staff to screen and refer patients to the Gisenyi Eye Unit for treatment.