In a rural village in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region, 55-year-old Bayush Dires spent most of her life as a hardworking farmer and mother of five sons. After losing her husband, she continued to live independently with her youngest son, Aragaw Amlak. But two years ago, everything changed when her vision began to fail. 
What began as gradual sight loss quickly become total dependence on her son. Once self-sufficient, Bayush could no longer see to perform the most basic tasks—bathing, walking, or using the toilet—without assistance. Her son Aragaw, also a farmer, had no choice but to abandon his work to care for her full-time. The loss of his income placed immense financial strain on the family, and with no access to proper medical care nearby, their hopes for help seemed dim.
To make matters worse, the ongoing conflict in the Amhara region has severely impacted families like Bayush’s. The war has shattered local infrastructure and restricted movement through emergency laws, making travel to hospitals difficult, if not impossible.
That’s where the outreach program by Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) and Felege Hiwot Hospital stepped in, Seva Canada’s partners in the region. Bringing vital eye care services to remote communities, the program became a beacon of hope for those cut off from basic healthcare.
Bayush was found by outreach workers and diagnosed with cataracts. With Aragaw by her side, Bayush underwent a simple surgical procedure to restore her sight. The impact was immediate and life-changing.
“I just want to manage my own life,” she says, now filled with hope and eager to tend to her garden, sheep, and cattle once more. For Bayush, the surgery didn’t just restore her vision—it restored her and her son’s independence.
For Aragaw, the change is just as profound. With his mother no longer dependent on him for daily care, he can return to farming and finally begin the life he put on hold. “This means I can finally get back to work and build my own life,” says Aragaw.
Bayush and Aragaw’s story is a powerful reminder of how accessible eye care does more than restore sight—it rebuilds lives. In regions where healthcare is scarce and the need is great, outreach programs like these make all the difference, giving families a second chance at life, dignity, and self-reliance.
Happy Mother’s Day to all moms and step-moms around the world— Give the Gift of Sight to all the mother figures in your life!!
