This past January, 62-year-old Soamarie arrived at an Eye Clinic in Sambava, Madagascar after a long journey from Andapa Sud, a rural farming community in the north of the country. She travelled nearly 105 km by bus and taxi, almost three hours each way, accompanied by her daughter, all to reach the eye clinic she hoped would restore her vision.
Over the past eight months, Soamarie had noticed her sight slowly fading. Everything became blurry, and she could no longer see distances clearly. Still, she stayed home. As she later explained, “People told me, ‘If you go to the doctor, he will remove your eyes, and you will have no eyes afterward.’” Afraid and without money for treatment, she endured her worsening sight in silence. As her vision failed, Soamarie could no longer farm or carry out her responsibilities in the community. Her daughter eventually left her own home to care for her full time. Seeing how much her mother was struggling, she urged Soamarie to seek help at the eye clinic. After examining her, the doctor explained that Soamarie’s vision loss was caused by cataracts— and that surgery could restore her sight. Despite her fears, his calm explanation reassured her, and she agreed to the operation.
When the bandage was removed after surgery, Soamarie was filled with joy. She could see clearly again. The blur and distance blindness were gone. Today, she has returned home with healthy eyes and renewed independence. She is back to her daily work and community duties, and her daughter has been able to return to her own home. Both have their lives back. Their futures have opened up once again.
Soamarie offers heartfelt thanks to the doctors and hospital staff, and the Seva Canada donors whose generosity restored her vision.
