Blindness
The problem
Ethiopia has one of the highest percentages of blind people per capita of any country in the world. Eighty percent of this blindness is either preventable or treatable. Simply stated–it does not to have to happen. Ethiopians do not have seeing-eye dogs. Instead, you will see small children slowly, quietly, and faithfully leading a blind person through the streets. These children have no opportunity to receive an education or even play with their friends. A $50(USD) cataract surgery, which takes less than ten minutes to preform, can restore vision to a blind person. However, lack of access to health care and extreme poverty are barriers to making this basic surgery possible.
How we help
THAF provides the funding needed to preform cataract surgery and restore vision to those who can not afford medical care. This simple procedure results in the liberation of an indentured child who can then return to school, play with their friends, and live a normal happy life. In addition, the blind person can return to an independent and productive life. This lifts a huge economic burden from the family. We also treat many other eye diseases as well as provide simple reading glasses for those with poor vision.
“I’ve completed nearly 15,000 surgeries, and this case, Bontu, is the most satisfying case I’ve ever had.”
-Dr. Samuel Bora Imana