Ethiopian Farmer Sees Again

80-year-old farmer Hailemariam Niguse’s smile lights up his face. An expressive man, his face is a portrait of emotions, his feelings on full display.

At HCP Cureblindness outreaches, patients react differently the moment doctors remove their bandages: Some cry. Some stare in disbelief. Others break out in joyful grins. Each one is memorable. Each reaction is genuine.

With sight stripped away, patients are left to sit with their fears. Sometimes for years.

The relief of sight-restored bubbles up their deepest emotion. For Hailemariam, his undeniable joy bursts through the darkness when he again sees the light.

Blind in both eyes from mature cataracts, Hailemariam struggled. Daily living became a challenge. One that stole his smile since he was unhappy more often than he was not.

Unable to prepare food or dress without assistance, he no longer was able to farm or care for his family. He stopped attending church. He felt disconnected from his community of Kola Temben.

Humans crave connection. It’s what makes us unique. It’s what keeps us sustained during difficult times. Blindness robs people of this basic need, placing them in a dark corner, alone.

“Now I can see everything and I am born again today,” he says. “Thank you to everyone who supports us.”

Hailemariam’s restored sight is also a reawakening for his adult son who accompanied him to the outreach. “It was a difficult time for us and challenging to assist him,“ he says. “I stopped my work because he (needed help) and I am insecure economically since I can’t be at work.”

Curing his father’s blindness means a return to work for his son and a better economic situation for his son’s family.

HCP Cureblindness knows that curing blindness for one person means returning life to at least two, the previously blind person and his caregiver.