‘Vision for Life’ – first public-private partnership free eye camp restores sight for refugees and host communities in the Kakuma Municipality
‘Vision for Life’ – first public-private partnership free eye camp restores sight for refugees and host communities in the Kakuma Municipality
An Optometrist from Visions Without Borders attends to Yandong, a 54-year-old South Sudanese refugee who had returned to the clinic for a scheduled post-surgery checkup.
A team of Spanish ophthalmologists from Visió Sense Fronteres, supported by the MA MATH Charitable Foundation Kenya, held an eye camp at Ammusait General Hospital in Kakuma and restored the sight of 148 refugees and members of the host community.
The eye camp, conducted in collaboration with UNHCR, the Department of Refugee Services (DRS), the United Asian Network (UAN), as well as the Turkana County Government, screened over 1,300 people with visual problems and performed 140 cataract surgeries and eight trachoma operations. Of the 148 people reached with the critical eye care services,113 were refugees and 35 were members of the host community. A total of 500 white canes were also donated.
The eye camp was a clear demonstration of the power of strategic public-private partnerships in changing the lives of vulnerable people, including those forced to flee their homes. It is aligned to the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Plan (KISEDP) and the Shirika Plan, two key Government-led initiatives aimed at promoting the socioeconomic inclusion of refugees in Kenya by transforming camps into integrated settlements.
For many of the beneficiaries, the surgery was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have their vision restored. At least 68 per cent of refugees and 72 per cent of the host community are poor compared to the national average of 37 per cent (joint Socioeconomic Survey 2019, by UNHCR, World Bank, and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics).
Restoring sight for refugees and host communities
Furaha Nzeyiana at the Ammusait General Hospital shortly after a successful surgery.
Furaha Nzeyiana, a 34-year-old single mother of four from Burundi, was nearly blind in one eye when she arrived in Kakuma.
“I was about to lose my eyesight in one eye, this is timely and God-sent. I am thankful - I was wondering where I could find the money to afford such a surgery.” With her vision restored, Furaha is confident she can continue to provide for her children. “Proper eyesight means I can now continue to support my family without fear. I am their only provider.”
Furaha was brought to the hospital by her mother, Jackline Nabigira, who waited anxiously as the surgery was completed.
Adau Gak Awook at the Ammusait General Hospital after completing a post-surgery check-up.
For 56-year-old Adau Gak Awook, a refugee from South Sudan, cataracts had taken away vision in one eye. Following the operation, her joy was visible.
“I had lost hope. I never imagined I would see again. I enjoy watching the environment, this means a lot to me.”
She added, “Eyesight is important because you need it to see around and keep yourself safe. Thank you so much to those who made this possible.”
The surgery has given Adau hope to pursue things she had given up on. She is now determined to continue working to provide for her family. The surgery has also given her the confidence to move around without fear since she can see her environment without struggling.
Ekitela undergoes a post-surgery check-up at Ammusait General Hospital 24 hours after the surgery.
Ekitela Ekaale, a 70-year-old Turkana elder from the host community, also underwent surgery.
“I have nothing to say, other than thank you and may God bless you. This is just amazing. I thought my condition would deteriorate until the end.”
About the United Asian Network (UAN)
The United Asian Network Limited is a not-for-profit, non-religious and a non-political organization formed to act as an umbrella think-tank and facilitator of cross-community collaboration of the Asian Community in Kenya, comprising Asians having their roots in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
About the MA MATH Charitable Foundation
The Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MA MATH) is a prominent spiritual and humanitarian organization founded by Mata Amritanandamayi, also known as Amma, a renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian. MA MATH operates a global network of charitable organizations under the name "Embracing the World", focused on providing assistance to the poor and needy, particularly in areas like food, shelter, healthcare, education, and livelihood.
About the Visió Sense Fronteres
Visió Sense Fronteres is a Spanish non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1998 in Calp, Spain. Dedicated to preventing avoidable blindness, the organization focuses on two primary causes: cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors. Over the past 25 years, Visió Sense Fronteres has provided eye care to more than 100,000 individuals, performed over 8,000 cataract surgeries, and distributed more than 35,000 pairs of glasses across various countries, including Kenya, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Cameroon, and Honduras.
