Mwero (right) aged 70 has been blind for 2 years. He comes from Ganze, a constituency rated the poorest during a recent Kenya government survey. Despite being blind, he continued to struggle to till his ever-dry shamba (farm) in an attempt to grow some food for his family. He walked in a bent poise, something had got used to as he dug throughout the day.

He can now see thanks to a generous donor, Taz Ebra who paid for his surgery. Now he is happy as his farming business, in his own words ‘will flourish’ as he can see the weeds clearly!

Click here for more pictures showing Mwero's story [opens in new window].

This young child Mwavita (left) was born blind due to cataract. She has already been taken to the witch doctor and charms were slung around her neck. They didn't work, so, some months later, she finally came to Kwale District Eye Centre where she underwent surgery.

Now she needs follow up care for life, especially important in her young years to make sure that she gets no complications and achieves the best possible vision. She will need glasses and help through school in order to compete with her sighted peers.

Masika (right) became ill after she was weaned. She lost the sight in her left eye due to vitamin A deficiency. We at KDEC were just in time to save the sight in her right eye.

This old man, Magongo Omar Teitei, came into the clinic under his own arrangements. He had been blind in both eyes for many years and had allowed himself to get depressed, losing 12 kg (two stone) in weight as he could not see to eat and could not understand why he should continue his life when he could not see nor contribute to the family life.

He travelled 200km with his son-in-law to reach KDEC and had one eye operated on the day after he arrived and the other on the following day. He immediately became a different man to the one who entered the clinic. He returns to a more fulfilled life.

Click here to read a longer description of Magongo's story written by George Ohito, Cataract Surgeon, Kwale District Eye Centre.

Magongo before his operation

A transformed Magongo after his operation

Age is no barrier to treatment.

This lady, Soila (right), had been blind in both eyes for many years. She walked for 3 days to reach help at KDEC. Both cataracts were removed by surgery and she was able to see again and regain a normal life for the first time for many years.

Dzara Kombo (left) was born blind with cataracts in both eyes. KDEC removed both cataracts and inserted intraocular lenses. Dzara can now lead a normal life, go to school and play with her friends.

Hussein Ali (right) was brought to the clinic at three months old with cloudy eyes. Had this been left he would have become irreversibly blind, but KDEC arranged for his transfer to a specialist centre in Nairobi. He now sees clearly and has a normal life

Rashid (left) was a healthy 2 year old whose mother did not know about vaccination. Within months he had measles and nearly died. His body used up the meagre supply of vitamin A during the illness and he is now irreversibly blind for life. Had he eaten food with enough vitamin A or been vaccinated - he would be able to see.

This picture shows low vision specialist Richard Rukwara testing the sight of a young patient in the clinic. Such specialist input enables those whose poor vision can not be treated - to maximise the remaining through special aids.