Gladstone Community Recognised for Supporting Sight-Saving Work

When Boniface and Eveline discovered their youngest children were going blind, their world fell apart. The couple, from Siaya County in Kenya, plunged into depression with 7-year-old Ruth and 2-year-old Vincent developing cataract. Adding even more pressure on the family-of-six, Eveline is also blind. The family is dependent on Boniface whose back-breaking work transporting water barely supports his wife and four children. As Boniface explains the pressure the family faces, Eveline, Ruth and Vincent appear. They all touch the muddy walls and wooden seats as they sit close to Boniface. Eveline says she has lived with visual impairment since she was in primary school and her vision is getting worse. “Before going blind, I would fry and vend chips at Oyude market to earn an income but I had to stop,” the 26-year-old said. Ruth has repeated her school level twice and remains in a class with children two to three years younger than her. “She relies on her older brother to write her homework – something that doesn’t please her,” Boniface said. Vincent is also unable to fully enjoy the world around him. Eveline worries about being able to maintain the house. “My house is also not very hygienic – this is happening because I have no eyes to see and do things on my own,” she said. Fortunately, The Fred Hollows Foundation, with the support of the Ruma Women Development CBO were able to support surgery for Eveline, Ruth and Vincent. The medical team at The Foundation’s partner facility, Sabatia Eye Hospital, operated on one eye and the family will return for surgery on the other eye. When the family returned to Boniface, he was overjoyed. “God has answered our prayers,” he said. Eveline now hopes for a future with clear sight and for Ruth and Vincent, the chance to succeed at school. “I can see you very clearly. I’m so happy to the CBO and The Fred Hollows Foundation. We can see again,” she said.