Cambridge charity CBM help to restore 28-year-old man's sight
When cataracts robbed Desiré of sight, the 28-year-old’s dream to build a secure future for his family seemed impossible, but he never lost hope of a sight-restoring miracle.
Desiré lives in Central Cameroon, where he suffered from blue dot congenital bilateral cataracts.
These are tiny lens opacities of blue or white colour that generally appear from birth through 18 and 24 months of age, but may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
“I struggled to go through primary school,” he explained. “I faced difficulties following lessons written on the board. And I made mistakes when I copied notes.”
Leaving school before secondary, Desiré started to train for his dream job with hopes he would one day become a carpenter. But that too became impossible because of his poor eyesight. He could not see fine detail and was in danger of injury from machinery.
Returning to his village, the father-of-four began to farm a small plot of land, growing cassava, maize and groundnuts, just enough to feed the family with a small surplus to sell.
But his sight continued to worsen, making farming difficult and dangerous. He struggled to see well on very sunny days, and was constantly squinting or shading his eyes with his hand to see.
His wife Bernadette, 25, feared for his safety: “When crossing the road he could not see vehicles coming and relied on his sense of sound more. I got scared that he could be knocked down by speeding vehicles.
“On the farm as well, a snake could have bitten him, especially if he did not see it coming. I was concerned about his safety each time he left home.”
The family eventually saved enough money to take Desiré to hospital where his problem was finally diagnosed.
Cataracts can be treated with a straightforward operation. But medical treatment is not free in Cameroon, and for Desiré, already struggling to support his family, the cost was simply out of reach.
“I did not have money for the surgery, so I returned home and resigned my fate to God, trusting him for a miracle,” said Desiré, who is also responsible for his mother Marceline, 51.
Desire’s miracle finally arrived when a relative suggested he visit a hospital supported by Cambridge-based charity CBM, which helps provide sight-saving treatments to the world’s poorest people. Here, in September 2018, he at last had the operation to restore his sight.
After surgery, the doctor gently removed the patches from Desiré’s eye and he looked around the room in wonder.
His face lit up as he saw Bernadette, her face clear for the first time in years.
By supporting the See the Way campaign, supported by Cambridge Independent, you can help more people like Desiré.
Every £1 becomes £2 to save sight.
Every day, people like Desiré in the world’s poorest places become needlessly blind because of conditions that can be easily treated. This February, CBM - supported by Cambridge Independent - has launched a new appeal to help people See the Way to a brighter future, improving access to sight-saving surgery, glasses and support. Between February 15 and May 14, all public donations to See the Way will be doubled by the UK government.
Public donations will support CBM’s work preventing blindness and transforming lives wherever the need is greatest. Match funding from the UK government will improve access to sight-saving eye-health services in Rwanda.
How people can support See the Way
Organise a sponsored activity or fundraising event – a wide range of free resources are available to inspire you and help you get started.
Involve your church – download free resources, worship materials, films and more to help you learn, pray and fundraise with your church.
Donate to help people See the Way to a brighter future or find out more at:
Online at www.SeeTheWay.org
By calling CBM’s friendly supporter care team on 0800 567 7000
By post: CBM, Oakington Business Park, Dry Drayton Road, Cambridge CB24 3DQ
