When Sarita’s sight was restored, so too were many of the everyday pleasures that enriched her life, thanks to our kind supporters.
Sarita longed for nothing more than to see her children again. They had both grown up and living far away from their mother and their childhood home in Fiji. Sarita’s sight had deteriorated to the point where even the journey to visit her children was no longer possible.
Spending time with her children was just one of the many things deteriorating vision had taken from Sarita. Since her husband sadly passed away 10 years ago, Sarita had found daily joy in her work as a florist, being involved as an elder in her community, and many other passions.
Little by little, Sarita’s fading sight began to prevent her from enjoying many of the everyday pleasures that made her life so rich.
“Because of my eyes, I can’t see when the trucks and vehicles are coming,” Sarita said. “Dangerous.”
Suliana added: “Before she could go to town alone. She could do everything. But now, she can’t. It’s difficult. She can’t recognise anyone.”
Over time, Suliana became Sarita’s “working eyes”, guiding her through everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning and even identifying people when Sarita’s friends or relatives came by for a visit.
Sarita’s beloved garden, once her pride and daily joy, had become too difficult to tend on her own. She had to rely on Suliana for support with all of the beautiful flowers she loved so much.
The Mobile Eye Clinic was in Tavua offering free eye consultations and surgery to people who were unable to travel the long distances to Fiji’s capital, Suva, for the eye care they desperately needed.
Dr Mundi Qalo Qoqonokana and Dr Willie Kalbule, both supported by The Foundation, travelled to Tavua with the MEC to help restore sight to 30 people. including Sarita.
Sarita’s sight was restored…
As the day of her surgery at the MEC approached, Sarita felt very nervous. She didn’t sleep at all the night before, and when she arrived at the clinic, she asked each of the patients who had gone before her if they had any pain and what their experience was like.
“I was very scared. It was my first surgery, “ she admitted.
But when Sarita’s turn came, her nerves turned to excitement.
“I’m very happy that you will operate on my eyes for me,” she said. “It will be nice, then I can see everything. My eyes will be clear so I can read anything.”
When she returned for her check-up three days later, Sarita was already beginning to see the world in sharper focus.
For the first time in years, she could imagine once again seeing the colourful tropical flowers she loved so dearly.
Your kindness enables us to reach more people in the Pacific, ensuring that everyone has a chance to access life-changing eye care.
