The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ
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Patient stories
Read about the people whose lives have changed thanks to generous donors like you.
Peni's Story
Age 59, Tonga
Blind in both eyes due to cataracts, Peni can now see again. He's able to earn money again, drive his bus and visit family and friends.
Zaydan's story
Age 6, Fiji
Two surgeries in three days is a lot for a small boy, but it meant Zaydan could see again.
Patson's story
Age 70, Solomon Islands
After two years of blindness, regaining his independence is the most precious gift
Poufia's story
Age 80, Samoa
Previously the chief of his village, Poufia was blind for ten long years before his sight was restored.
Shaylan's story
5 months, Solomon Islands
Born blind, baby Shaylan underwent bi-lateral cataract surgery at just five months old.
Ashita's story
Age 25, Fiji
At just 15, Ashita was diagnosed with diabetes. Ten years later, she found out she now has diabetes eye disease - right before COVID-19 hit.
Vika's story
Age 60, Tonga
Vika lived happily on the small island of Vava'u in Tonga until she developed cataracts in both eyes.
Sione's story
Age 76, Tonga
Cataract surgery gave Sione back his sight and sense of self-worth and gave his daughter her life back.
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Simalo's story
Age 24, Samoa
When we meet Simalo, she is four months pregnant with her first child and blind in both eyes.
Fakatele's story
Age 9, Tonga
Our outreach team wouldn't have been there if our supporters weren't there, and Fakatele would have lost his sight.
Metuisela’s story
Age 61, Fiji
Blindness doesn’t always take away your independence, but it can stop you from providing for your family.
Elizabeth's story
Age 2, Vanuatu
After her surgery, Elizabeth could see properly for the first time - a moment that marked the beginning of a normal childhood.
Karlpat's story
Age 46, Vanuatu
A once vital and fit man, Karlpat's life was torn from under him when he was diagnosed with diabetes.
Iauilim’s story
Age 80, Vanuatu
She got her sight back thanks to our supporters. But they also gave her back her confidence, her independence and her happiness.
Rex’s story
Age 29, Vanuatu
Rex had a very dense cataract in his left eye, reminding us cataract blindness is not confined to the elderly.
Bethe's story
Age 48, Vanuatu
Without access to quality eye care, an everyday accident led to a long and painful loss of independence for Bethe.
Clerence's story
Age 22, Vanuatu
Clerence has suffered from diabetes since she was a baby. One of the many complications is diabetes eye disease.
Ngu's story
Age 42, Tonga
Fearful, helpless, hurting… then a 20-minute operation gave him his sight back and his life.
Gabriella's story
Age 3, Vanuatu
Gabriella's cataract surgery changed her life, enabling her to go to school and have a childhood.
Daniel's story
Age 4, Tonga
When a child needs an emergency operation to save his sight, you don't hold back.
Timwia and Nawere’s story
Both age 70, Kiribati
When Timwia and Nawere met, it was love at first sight. Now it's love at second sight.
Bibiane’s story
Papua New Guinea
Having cataracts in both eyes meant Bibiane could no longer look after herself.
Jesse’s story
Age 74, Vanuatu
Jesse is a village chief and keen gardener, relying on his sight to make a living.
Platini’s story
Age 8, Solomon Islands
Platini was born with cataracts that gradually got worse as he got older.
Floyd’s story
Age 21, Vanuatu
Floyd was building a house when he got a splinter in his eye, causing a cataract to form.
Raj's Story
Age 75, Fiji
Raj worked her entire life to care for her family but felt her blindness made her a burden.
Toese’s story
Age 39, Samoa
Toese relied on his eight-year-old son to look after him, which meant he couldn’t go to school.
Mere’s story
Age 62, Fiji
Globally, women account for more than 60 per cent of all people who are blind. Mere was one of these women.
Solomone’s story
Age 63, Tonga
Without his sight, Solomone couldn’t work as a fisherman to provide for his family.
Luke’s story
Age 80, Solomon Islands
After 20 long years of blindness, Luke thought he would never see again.
Charlie’s story
Age 51, Vanuatu
Charlie had cataracts in both eyes, making his job in construction extremely dangerous.
Hepi’s story
Age 65, Tonga
Hepi’s blindness made her feel incomplete. She couldn’t fulfil her duties to her husband or her daughter.
Valentina’s story
Age 59, Tonga
Valentina can finally see her grandchildren again after her sight-saving operation.
Durkita’s story
Papua New Guinea
Durkita, a crocodile hunter, travelled for three days by canoe to have his sight restored.
Vani’s story
Age 72, Fiji
Vani spent 12 years in darkness because of cataracts. She’d never seen some of her grandchildren.
Ioane’s story
Age 6, Kiribati
Ioane's eye was injured while he was playing with his friends by a rubbish heap.
Deonisia’s story
Age 64, Fiji
Thanks to her sight-saving operation, Deonisia regained her independence.
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