When Fassikaw was in first grade, he began to have trouble seeing objects far away. Reading books and the blackboard became difficult. Sitting in the middle or back of the classroom, he often had to borrow his classmates’ exercise books to copy notes. 

At home, reading took him a long time. His eyes often watered, and his grades began to drop. More than his grades, his parents worried about his worsening vision and the way it was affecting his mood and sleep. Fassikaw even spoke about leaving school. 

Around this time, his family learned about our School Eye Health Program run in partnership with Partners in Education Ethiopia. The program offers free diagnosis and eyeglasses to students in need. 

After hearing this, his family went to the hospital and Fassikaw’s eyes were checked. At the hospital, tests revealed that Fassikaw’s vision required strong corrective lenses: +15.00 for his left eye and +16.00 for his right. Thanks to our partners and generous donors, he received the eyeglasses at no cost. 

Today, Fassikaw can read easily from anywhere in the classroom. At home, he reads without headaches or watery eyes. His grades have improved, and his class ranking has risen from 27^th to 21^st, with steady progress. 

His father says their son is now happy and confident, and the family can sleep without worry. “With God’s help, we hope you will never have to worry about anything,” he says with gratitude. 

Did you know?
Bringing eye health care to students is an investment in their education and their future. Globally, 450 million children have an eye condition that requires treatment; of these, 448 million have refractive errors that only require eye exams and eyeglasses (Source: IAPB Vision Atlas – Child Eye Health). The cost of eyeglasses in our countries of work is approximately C$20. 

By providing eyeglasses through school-based eye health programs, we can transform the lives of children like Fassikaw, helping them see clearly, succeed in school and embrace a brighter future. Give the Gift of Sight today.  

Our Work in Ethiopia 
Since beginning our work in Ethiopia in 2018, we’ve made significant strides toward preventing avoidable vision loss. In 2024, our programs reached more than 33,424 people through eye health screenings, treatment, training and community outreach. From surveying over 14,000 residents in Debre Work to training frontline workers and teachers, screening students and providing eyeglasses, we are building lasting capacity for quality eye care. Read more about our work in Ethiopia in our 2024 Annual Report. Download it here. 

The post Eyeglasses bring hope and better grades to Fassikaw   appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

Kwaku is speaking about his eye injury. A spark flew into his eye from a lit match while he was working with burning charcoal.

He lost his job because of that accident. Kwaku is the only income earner in his family. As the sole breadwinner, Kwaku’s job meant everything to him; he prided himself on supporting his wife and himself. “I felt like I had been robbed of my livelihood when I lost my sight. It was like everything in my life had come to an end.” 

Kwaku’s vision worsened over the course of the next two years after his injury.

Without his sight or the ability to work, he lost his will to live.

Despite his condition, Kwaku was too afraid to seek treatment. It wasn’t until two years later when he started losing his sight in both eyes that he finally had his eyes screened. At that time, an ophthalmic nurse diagnosed him with bilateral cataract. The cataract in his right eye had been caused by his work injury two years prior and his left eye had started to develop cataract as well. The ophthalmic nurse immediately referred him for surgery at our partner hospital, the Ga South Municipal Hospital.

“I was afraid when I was told that I would need surgery… I thought the doctors would take my eyes out of my head to operate on them! But the ophthalmic nurse counselled me, explaining the process to remove my cataracts and I felt reassured,” said Kwaku.

His children were overjoyed when they heard the diagnosis!

“Our Father is the light of the family. He has made so much of a positive impact in our lives. Seeing him suffer became unbearable for everyone, it was a moment of total darkness that enveloped our family during his condition,” said Kwaku’s daughter.

Soon after his diagnosis, Kwaku travelled with some of his children to the hospital for his surgery.  After the surgery, Kwaku was thrilled to be able to look at his children’s faces again.

He couldn’t contain his joy after the bandages came off and he could see clearly for the first time in years!

“I can’t believe I can see again! I feel so blessed that I could be helped. Now that I know that there is hope for others like me, I promise to bring others who are also suffering from eye conditions to have their eyes screened. May God bless the entire team that helped me gain back my sight!”

Not only was Kwaku’s sight was restored, but he regained hope that he could again provide for his wife and himself..

“The light of our family is shining again,” said his children.

And you know the best part? It’s thanks to the support of generous people like you that our partner hospital had the capacity to treat Kwaku! Thanks to your kindness, his quality of life has improved. You can help more men like Kwaku by donating to our Eye Care Professionals training program – For a one time $100 gift, you could make an impact for a lifetime! Again, thank you for all that you do… For All The World To See!

The post New beginnings with the Gift of Sight! appeared first on Operation Eyesight.