Maguaye Abate from Adet Ethiopia hadn’t seen clearly in over 7 years! First she lost the sight in her left eye and then 3 years later she lost the vision in her right eye.
As her vision deteriorated, Maguaye lost her independence. Living on her own was far too risky. She could fall while trying to get dressed or burn herself while cooking over an open flame. Worried for her safety, her family decided to move Maguaye into her eldest daughter’s home.
Her other children took turns helping to care for their mother when they weren’t farming millet, tef, wheat and barley in the fields or selling it in the local market.
When Maguaye was asked how her blindness had affected her life, she replied thoughtfully, “What can I say about this? You can imagine what it might be like if your life was filled with darkness. I am forced to stay home day and night.”
“What can I say about this? You can imagine what it might be like if your life was filled with darkness. I am forced to stay home day and night.”
– Maguaye
Thankfully, while at the market with her daughter, they met a microfinance worker who’d been trained by Seva Canada’s local partner, the Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO), to be an eye care volunteer. The outreach volunteer, educated in basic eye diseases, was looking for people in her community in need of care. She told them about a free screening camp taking place nearby, funded by the generosity of Seva Canada donors.
Maguaye’s daughter guided her mother as they walked the 1.5 hours to the screening camp. At the camp, Dr. Hiwot Degineh, the local ophthalmologist, diagnosed Maguaye with treatable bilateral cataracts.
“I want my mother to have light and happiness again. That is my hope for my mother,” said her daughter.
“I want my mother to have light and happiness again. That is my hope for my mother,” said her daughter.
Maguaye after cataract surgery on her left eye accompanied by her daughter at the eye hospital. Photo by ©Stephanie C. Glotman
Maguaye and her daughter were transported to the eye hospital in Bahir Dahr where Dr. Hiwot operated on Maguaye’s left eye. “The first thing I would like to see is my children, then the eye care team who have helped me and all the people from my community,” said Maguaye.
“The first thing I would like to see is my children, then the eye care team who have helped me and all the people from my community,” said Maguaye.
A happy Maguaye after cataract surgery. Photo by ©Stephanie C. Glotman
And not long after her first successful surgery, Maguaye received surgery on her right eye. After her bandage was removed and her sight restored, Maguaye blessed the entire medical team and Seva Canada and did an Ethiopian dance of joy.
“God bless you and lifelong happiness to all of Seva Canada.”
Maguaye in Ethiopia after her bandages removed and doing a traditional dance of joy. Photo by ©Stephanie C. Glotman
