With his sight restored, Popo can return to his church and community.
For more than two years, Popo could barely leave his house. Nearly blind, he depended on his wife for everything, from washing and dressing to guiding him through daily life.
In rural Papua New Guinea, access to health care is already limited, and for specialist services like eye care it is almost impossible. That’s why our Outreach Teams travel to remote areas to provide sight-saving surgeries for people who would otherwise go without.
In 2023, the Papua New Guinea Outreach Team travelled to Kerema, the capital of Gulf Province. for the very first time. Communities in this part of the country are geographically isolated, with few health facilities and a shortage of medical personnel. For Popo, a 73-year-old father and grandfather, it was the opportunity he had been waiting for.
As a teenager in 1965, Popo was playing on the beach at night when a stone struck his right eye. He went to hospital, but there was no one to help. The injury scarred, and Popo lost sight in that eye.
For decades, he relied on vision in his left eye. He worked for 10 years refuelling planes and later became a pastor in his church. But in 2021, his good eye began to fail. Soon he could only see vague shapes and colours.
Popo struggled with the change. “I am the man, it should be my duty to care for my wife,” he said. Instead, his wife Wendy became his carer. “My world revolves around him,” she explained. She washed him, guided him, and took him everywhere he needed to go.
This left their children to take responsibility for the household. Their youngest daughter even left school in grade six to help at home, while her siblings worked the family’s garden to provide food.
When Kerema eye nurse Thomas Baia told them that an Outreach Team was coming, Popo knew it was the opportunity he had been waiting for. Before surgery, he said with emotion: “Wanbel!” which roughly translates to “I really, really want this!”
He was so eager for the procedure that he joked: “Just rip off the bandage, I wanna see!”
The moment his bandage was removed was unforgettable. After more than two years housebound, Popo was overjoyed to see again. “I am very happy to see my wife’s face,” he said, smiling.
“I was in the house for 2 years 5 months — now I am better! Thanking everyone. Really happy.”
Popo now looks forward to playing his guitar, returning to church, and resuming his role as pastor in the New Apostolic Church. “I think the future is going to be very bright.”
Popo’s story shows just how life-changing outreach services are. For people in remote communities like these, our visiting teams are often the only way to access treatment.
Outreaches like the one at Kerema are made possible thanks to the support of partners like the Kerema Provincial Health Authority, local eye health workers, and the generosity of our supporters. Together, we are restoring sight and transforming lives.
Your support brings sight-saving surgery to remote communities.
