“Restoring or improving a person’s sight is the best part of this job”
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It’s difficult not to smile when talking to Givemore Mafukidze. His positive attitude instantly puts people at ease, which makes him a natural at his job.
He’s an ophthalmic nurse who travels to remote communities in Zimbabwe to examine people for signs of trachoma. He wants to make sure everyone is treated so their sight can be saved. Watch the video below to hear more about him.
Screening children for trachoma
“I’ve been working as an ophthalmic nurse now for about 10 years,” he tells us. “I’d had a passion for saving people’s lives, then I developed an interest in eye health because I had family members who had eye problems.”
We follow Givemore across Mbire, a rural district in northern Zimbabwe, where he carries out eye health screenings to check for trachoma in local communities. The area has little infrastructure: the dirt roads are bumpy, and there’s a shortage of medicine and supplies in the few small health clinics, making it difficult for locals to get the healthcare they need.
Each day Givemore visits villages dotted around the district. Most don’t have access to clean water, and this lack of sanitation means the infection spreads more easily between people.
Although villagers welcome our arrival, children often shy away, crying in anticipation of having their eyes examined. Parents have to encourage their children to let Givemore examine them, but immediately afterwards the children relax. Most wander around his feet, intrigued to see what he’s going to do next.
“For a child with trachoma, if the condition goes untreated, you know that at some point in time they may end up blind,” he explains. “So when someone goes blind, it’s a burden to the family, to the community, to the nation.
“It makes me very happy to see a child with trachoma being treated because I know the impact it will have on the child’s life, wellbeing and welfare. I will be certain that this child is likely to have a better future.”
For every €1 we receive, including donated supplies, 91% goes on our vital charity work.
The remainder helps us grow awareness and our funding.
During his outreach visits, Givemore is always careful to make sure everyone has been screened – even the young children who wriggle away and hide behind their friends. He jokingly points at the hiders and beckons them over with a smile and a relaxed attitude.
Travelling between screenings, we stop suddenly on a dirt road: before we know it, Givemore has jumped out of the car and is making his way over to a small group of villagers standing in the bushes. The spontaneous roadside screening is worth it: his quick work identifies more people with trachoma, who are able to receive treatment immediately.
Givemore is a true symbol of leaving no one behind.
This Christmas will your company support a hero like Givemore in his commitment in eliminating trachoma in his country? See what your donation could achieve below.
