Rose can now see the faces of the people she loves, thanks to life-changing eye surgery.
Born with cataracts in both eyes, Rose faced an uncertain future. Her aunty made a long journey to help her receive the eye care she needed.
Five-year-old Rose was born with cataracts in both eyes, meaning she could make out only light and shadow. In a remote village in Papua New Guinea’s Simbu Province, she learnt to navigate her surroundings through memory, sound and touch.Â
Whenever Rose needed help finding her way, her two-year-old brother Vitus would take her hand and guide her. In turn, Rose helped care for him, listening for his cries whenever he needed her. Â
“Vitus is like the eye to Rose. He’s looking out for her,” says their aunty, also named Rose.Â
Rose helped with everyday tasks like fetching water and loved helping her mum care for Vitus. Â
But there were things she couldn’t safely join in. While other children played and swam in the nearby river, her family worried Rose could get hurt. Â
Their greatest concern was whether she could attend school and, one day, find a job. They wanted her to have the chance to learn, explore and discover what she could do. Â
Rose’s family didn’t know her blindness could be treated, and they worried about her future. But then they heard that a team of eye doctors and nurses would be visiting a village several hours away, which brought them new hope.
Aunty Rose was determined to get her there. She carried the little girl on her back for hours over rugged terrain to reach the eye doctors. There, the family learned that surgery might help Rose see for the very first time.
A few weeks later, Aunty Rose carried her niece back to Gumine village. From there, they travelled another five hours by public vehicle to reach the hospital for eye surgery.
Waiting to care for Rose were eye doctor Dr Mulusew Melesse and trainee eye doctor Dr Lissing Hames. Dr Lissing’s training is supported by The Foundation.
Dr Lissing assisted Dr Mulusew as he removed the cataracts from both of Rose’s eyes and covered them with patches.
The next day, Rose returned to the hospital to have her eye patches removed. The moment was everything she and her family had long dreamed of.
She looked around in wonder, taking in the world around her. Then she locked eyes with Aunty Rose, and their smiles filled the room. Before long, she was walking confidently around the hospital grounds.
“Her eyes are no longer smoky – the blackness has become clear. I am happy, her parents will be happy. They will shake with surprise when they see her,” Aunty Rose said.
For Rose’s family, being able to see has opened up new possibilities. She can now see the faces of those she loves and move around more confidently, with new opportunities to learn, play and grow. Â
“She has a big future ahead of her,” says Aunty Rose. Â
Her brother’s guiding hand, her aunty’s determination and the care of skilled eye doctors all played a part in helping Rose see for the first time. Kind supporters like you helped make that care possible. Â
With your support, more people like Rose can access sight-restoring eye care and see the faces of the people they love.Â
Your gift can help bring essential eye care to remote communities and train more local eye doctors and nurses, so more people across the Pacific can receive the treatment they need.
