Help us reach more children with cataracts

Behind every child with cataracts is a growing risk of avoidable blindness. Your gift can help stop children like Melia from losing their sight.

Melia was born with cataracts in both eyes. By the age of 10, she had lived her whole life with them. They affected everything, from Melia’s friendships to her education.

Melia’s mother, Veronica, was battling against the odds. She took Melia to the local clinic, where she was told there was nothing they could do.

Tragically, in Malawi, there is a chronic shortage of paediatric ophthalmologists, and the cost of travelling to a hospital that could provide treatment had become a barrier that Veronica, and many more families, simply couldn’t overcome.

I could not be at peace thinking that my daughter would live life without her sight.

Melia’s mother, Veronica

Melia, a young girl, sat outside her home in Malawi with her mother, Veronica.

Behind Melia was a mother determined to save her daughter’s sight

Veronica feared for Melia’s future independence. “I knew I couldn’t give up. So, when she was six, I took her to Balaka District Hospital. It’s a long distance from here; transport is too expensive, so my brother took us on his motorbike.

“Sadly, when they examined Melia, they said she needed to go to Blantyre for further checks and treatment to save her sight. But this is much further away, and I couldn’t afford to take her there.

“That’s why, after all that time, I couldn’t solve the problem. I encouraged Melia not to worry, but at school she was two years behind her peers, and even though I taught her at home, progress was difficult.

“I would try to reassure her that in the future she would be able to see properly. I said this to take away her fears, but I knew she could have a different life. That with treatment, everything could change for the better.”

Take a look at the gallery below to see what it took for Melia to have sight-saving surgery.

In truth, life was very difficult for her.

Veronica

The surgical camps that change everything

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. While primary healthcare is free, most people live in rural or remote communities and don’t have the means to travel to hospitals in the towns and cities.

Because Melia had lived with cataracts for 10 years, there was a growing risk that her brain would never have the chance to develop the ability to understand visual images. The cost of travelling for treatment was too much for Melia and Veronica. Time was running out, and she could have lost her sight permanently.

That’s why the surgical camp at Zomba Central Hospital is life-changing for children like Melia. This pop-up eye care centre brings world-class medical treatments direct to rural communities, breaking down the barriers to sight-saving surgery.

The team of medical specialists comes together four times a year, providing urgent treatments, vital ongoing eye care and regular screening for a range of potentially blinding conditions.

This Christmas, your gift could ensure more children get the support they need to save and protect their sight. It takes as little as 45 minutes to save a child’s sight. You can give more children like Melia hope for a future filled with opportunity and potential.

With cataract surgery, the impact is quick. People can see brilliant outcomes.

Mabuchi, project co-ordinator

Behind every child with cataracts is a team dedicated to saving sight. Will you be part of that team this Christmas?

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Find out how your support can make a huge difference and change lives.

Help us reach more children with cataracts

Behind Melia was a mother determined to save her daughter’s sight

Take a look at the gallery below to see what it took for Melia to have sight-saving surgery.

The surgical camps that change everything