amexShapeShapeGroupArrow DesktopGroup 6Shapenoun_credit cards_942014diners-outlineShapeicon_donatenoun_Globe_1335341 (1)ShapeSlice 1mastercardicon_newsletterArrow Desktop“ copyicon_searchvisa
FHFV3 https://www.hollows.org/What We Do /home https://www.hollows.org/App_Themes/FHF/images/logo.svg
customer support [email protected] +61 2 8741 1999 +61 2 8741 1900
Level 2, 61 Dunning Ave 2018 Rosebery NSW, Australia
https://twitter.com/FredHollows http://www.youtube.com/user/FHFvideos https://instagram.com/fredhollows/
The Fred Hollows Foundation logo
Donate
US
  • Global
    English
  • United States
    English
  • Australia
    English
  • Hong Kong S.A.R
    English 繁 簡
  • United Kingdom
    English
  • United Arab Emirates
    Arabic English
  • Donate
  • Why Sight Matters
    • Eye Diseases
    • Impact of Vision Loss
    • Ending Avoidable Blindness
  • Who We Are
    • Professor Fred Hollows
    • Our People
  • What We Do
    • Our Strategy
    • How We Deliver Impact
    • Who We Help
    • Advocacy and Influencing
    • Gender, Equity and Inclusion
    • Innovation and Research
    • Global Campaigns
  • Where We Work
  • Join us
    • Partner With Us
    • Get Involved
    • Careers
Donate
Background Image

Faith's Story

Who We Help

Of the 32.4 million people who are blind worldwide, 3 out of 5 are women and girls. And yet they’re statistically less likely to find treatment. For these women and girls, their options in life narrow as they miss out on education and work.


“Can I go to school today?”

 

In the remote region of Transmara in Kenya, one of these girls was three-year old Faith. Abandoned by her parents because she was born blind from cataract, Faith was taken in by her remarkable Aunt Helen – a woman who never stopped believing in a better life for this clever and curious little girl.

 

Every day Faith would wake up and ask her Aunt Helen: “Can I go to school today?” For Helen, it was heartbreaking to think that a child who wanted to learn so much may never have that chance. 


Instead of sending her to school, Helen would hoist Faith on her back, carrying her as she worked in the fields. It’s backbreaking to carry a child in this way, but with no one else to look after Faith, there was no choice.

This Is How Giving Sight Can Give The World - Faith's Story

Subscribe to our channel here: http://bit.ly/2b1oCXu


One hour to give her sight

People in Helen’s village said Faith would never see - she was born blind and would stay that way. But Helen knew the kind of life that lay ahead for Faith if she remained blind forever. When she heard about an eye clinic through an outreach program, Helen walked 25 kilometers with Faith on her back. She didn’t care – she would do anything for her little girl.  



“I would sell all my cows, everything we have, to give her sight…”

- Helen, Faith's aunt

 

Doctors at the eye clinic told Helen that Faith’s sight could be saved with an operation at Sabatia Eye Hospital. It was a 5 hour drive and too far away for Helen to get to, but The Fred Hollow Foundation organised for Helen and Faith to get to the hospital.

 

There Dr Ollando, an ophthalmologist trained by The Foundation, performed the surgery in under an hour while Helen anxiously paced the halls.

 

Her dream came true.


Background Image

 

“If I get a pen, I'll go to school…”

3-year-old Faith

 

The next morning, when the eye patches came off, it was clear that Faith could see - and the first thing she wanted was a pen.

 

Helen is overjoyed to see Faith’s transformation. She’s now an independent little girl who is constantly playing with the other children in the village. Once, she used to hide her face in the folds of her aunt’s skirt, but now she scampers around with her friends, only needing to come to her aunt when she’s hungry.


When a girl can see, she can learn

 

Education for girls and women leads to possibility. But, in places like remote Kenya, education for blind girls and women isn’t feasible. Even at the young age of three, Faith understood this, and now with sight saved, her life can take shape in so many different ways. 

 


Fifty five per cent of the world’s blind are women and girls. Like Faith, there are so many girls around the world with no access to education if they can’t see.

 

That's why we need your help. Together we can change their path and give them a chance. 

$25 can restore sight
$25 can restore sight

$25 can restore sight

Help us end avoidable blindness

Donate Now

Donate by phone

+1-646-868-8986
Donate Now Share with friends Subscribe to newsletter
"> "> "> ">
  • The Foundation
  • Annual Reports
  • Professor Fred Hollows
  • Our People
  • News and Updates
  • Eye Health
  • Research
  • Sight Simulator
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Donate now
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Security
  • Complaints
  • Safeguarding & Policies
  • Sitemap
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Security
  • Complaints
  • Safeguarding & Policies
  • Sitemap

The Fred Hollows Foundation (USA) is a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organisation, EIN: 82-2851329

Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Fred Hollows Foundation is a member of The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and is compliant with the ACFID code of conduct.

The Fred Hollows Foundation has safeguards and policies that guide its work.

All content © 2020 The Fred Hollows Foundation. All rights reserved. ABN 46 070 556 642


The Fred Hollows Foundation (USA) is a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organisation, EIN: 82-2851329

Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Fred Hollows Foundation USA has attained the Platinum Seal of Transparency on GuideStar.

The Fred Hollows Foundation has safeguards and policies that guide its work.

All content © 2020 The Fred Hollows Foundation. All rights reserved. ABN 46 070 556 642