For the First Time
Gafaro was born with double cataracts. By the time he was four years of age the left eye could only see little bits of light and colour. His right eye was completely blind.
Poisonous snakes, biting ants, boda bodas…
Poisonous snakes, biting ants, open fires, speeding boda bodas (mopeds) were just some of the dangers Gafaro—a young, curious child—faced. His mother lived in constant fear for his safety.
They live in a dark, four-room house with his two siblings, two cousins, aunt, uncle, and grandmother. His father abandoned them. Because of Gafaro’s limited vision and no electricity to brighten the house, he was completely blind inside the place he calls home.
They live in extreme poverty
The family survives on a variety of vegetables they grow from peasant farming. The cassava, maize and potatoes are just enough to barely feed the family—not enough to sell at the market. Gafaro tried to help his mother, Rashidah, and grandmother, Zulaika, in the garden, but he couldn’t distinguish between a weed and a plant. He accidently pulled out the vegetables.
While his siblings and cousins attended school, Gafaro sadly played by himself in the sand on the floor of the house. Or he stacked bricks and filled little containers with dust.
The neighbourhood children didn’t visit him. When they saw him on the compound, they laughed at him.
After school, his cousins and siblings attempted to play with Gafaro. But, they’d become frustrated. “He can’t do the things they expect him to do, he accidently destroys things—and then they sometimes push or hit him,” his mother said.
Before he retired to bed, Gafaro sang and then imitated the things the other children told him about school. He so desperately wanted to play and learn along with the other children.
Unaffordable surgery
The family heard that a doctor at the Mengo Eye hospital would likely be able to help Gafaro. So, they scraped together the few shillings they had to pay for the taxi ride to the hospital. The doctors told them Gafaro needed surgery ASAP. He would become permanently blind if they waited too long.
But, the surgery was unaffordable for them.
They returned home, sad and disappointed.
He was lost but now he’s found
Then a Hope and Healing International worker found him.. What a glorious day!
Supporters like you funded the surgery and the follow up care Gafaro so desperately needed.
The family couldn’t believe their ears! All for free? How they felt the love of Jesus through supporters at Hope and Healing International.