“I can see what everyone is wearing. I can see all the colours!”
It’s not often you can say a miracle has happened to you, but that’s exactly what Nazondani was exclaiming last week.
We met Nazondani at a hospital in Malawi, right before her operation. At the age of 76, she was still working with her husband on a farm. She told us how the cataracts in both eyes made everyday life a huge challenge, and even simple tasks were a struggle. She would often mistakenly pick crops rather than weeds while she was farming, and faces became more difficult to identify; she had to rely on recognising voices instead.
One of the biggest challenges that stops people in remote regions getting treatment for eye conditions is the fear of surgery. Fortunately for Nazondani, her husband had already had an operation to restore his eyesight and couldn’t recommend it enough. In fact, Nazondani was looking forward to her operation; she just wanted her sight back.
When the day for Nazondani’s surgery arrived, her sister Kenesiya was by her side.
After surgery, Nazondani was ecstatic. “I’m failing to express my gratitude because I am so happy!” she exclaimed. “I can see what everyone is wearing. I can see all the colours! The first thing I’ll do when I get home is devote my prayers to god because I am so thankful for this miracle. I’m laughing like a doll!
“I’m looking forward to seeing my husband when I get home. I will give him a big hug. He has had an operation on his eye too and he is very happy. I will encourage my friends to come to the hospital. They are scared, but I’ll be a good example.”
“I am so thankful for this miracle.”
Want to read more about our work?
Sightsavers and eye healthMore stories
Abdu’s story
For years, Abdu suffered from the pain of trachoma. Thanks to a Sightsavers-supported programme, he was examined, diagnosed and given treatment.
Naheed’s story
Naheed is one of the final patients to have surgery as a result of Sightsavers’ Million Miracles campaign, which has raised enough to fund a million cataract operation in the countries where we work.
Givemore’s story
Ophthalmic nurse Givemore travels to remote communities in Zimbabwe to examine people for signs of blinding trachoma. He's determined to make sure everyone is treated so their sight can be saved.
