Story of Putting Down the Wooden Stick ① – Bashadu, Who Made a Living Gathering Firewood
Bashadu Abdu once lived a simple life in Deddo Province in Ethiopia, Africa. She had always made a living gathering firewood in the rugged mountains and forests. Several years ago, after contracting malaria, she also developed cataracts, and her vision was quietly stolen away, leaving her unable to see clearly anymore.
"Blindness equals loss of independence"
After going blind, she could no longer go out alone and had to rely on her daughter and neighbors for help. She needed a stick to support her when going in and out, and spent her days at home as if years were passing. However, the expensive medical fees and transportation costs made her afraid to hope for recovery of sight.
Fortunately, with the support of The Fred Hollows Foundation and the local health department, the arrival of the medical team brought her a glimmer of hope. Despite the long distance and inconvenient transportation, the medical team's persistence gave patients like Bashadu in remote areas the opportunity to change their fate.
Now, Bashadu's greatest wish is to be able to walk to the church on her own after surgery and regain the dignity of her independent life.
Her story is a microcosm of countless people waiting for light, enabling them to put down their sticks. It is also the meaning of The Fred Hollows Foundation's work.
Story of Putting Down the Wooden Stick ② – Grandmother Dan, Smiling from Ear to Ear
Walking in a haze, unable to see clearly, Grandmother Dan, who suffered from cataracts, found that even walking was a problem. She needed a stick to help her go in and out. However, the path to recovery of sight does not discriminate by age—even for 82-year-old Grandmother Dan.
"About a year ago, I began to experience blurred vision..."
The Fred Hollows Foundation collaborated with Quang Nam Hospital in Vietnam and community centers to provide eye screening services for the elderly. At that time, 174 people were examined, and 54 were subsequently diagnosed with cataracts, including Grandmother Dan. After a simple surgery, she regained her sight.
Nearly 70 percent of Vietnam's population lives in rural areas and cannot afford eye treatment services. Fortunately, The Fred Hollows Foundation collaborated with the local Quang Nam Hospital to provide eye examinations for the elderly. After examination, Grandmother Dan discovered that she had cataracts, and a simple surgery could restore her vision.
After completing the surgery, Grandmother Dan smiled from ear to ear, because what she could see was not just joy, but the future.
Story of Putting Down the Wooden Stick ③ – Because She Wanted to See Her Eighteen Grandchildren and Seventeen Great-Grandchildren
When asked about her life, she simply said: "Life is very difficult."
Madam Mey experienced three wars in her lifetime, but these cannot compare to her daily struggles. She went completely blind from cataracts three years ago.
She used a 1.8-meter-tall cane to "navigate" for herself, but her range of activity was limited to only twenty meters from her home. Most of the time, she needed help with the simplest tasks, such as eating, bathing, and even using the washroom.
Simply handing a doll toy to her grandchild was pure happiness!
However, thanks to the eye screening camp supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation, they found Vietnam's youngest and most skilled ophthalmologist to provide treatment.
After surgery, madam Mey opened her eyes while still sitting on the operating table and said: "I can see!" Her son Lit escorted her home, and she walked into scenes she had forgotten—especially the water buffalo and the bridge leading to her home.
Now she watches the children play. When one of them dropped his stuffed toy, she walked over and placed it back on his head, then returned to her chair. It is a small gesture, but for madam Mey, it is pure happiness.
Together, we can do this
We know how to help, but there’s a lot of work still to be done across the world. Eliminating avoidable blindness can be achieved – with the help of our partners and, most importantly, you, our incredible supporters.
The Fred Hollows Foundation's work will help build the local capacity of eye health in remote areas. Doctors, nurses and community eye care staff can identify, diagnose, refer and treat various eye diseases on time in the community.
The Fred Hollows Foundation believes that a fly-in-fly-out model is not the best way to develop a place’s eye health care. Our aim is to build a sustainable eye health workforce in remote areas to help people have their sight restored.
Thank you very much for your donation! Monthly donation receipts will be mailed to your mailing address every April. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
