Bertha* (91) and Sifiso* (86) have shared a lifetime together, with Bertha formerly working as a dressmaker and Sifiso as a machine operator.
But in recent years, cataracts stole their simple joys of daily life: cooking, tending the garden, and seeing the faces of loved ones. As their vision blurred into shadows, they relied more and more on their daughter Maria* to take care of them.
“She does everything for us,” Bertha said. “She is a big blessing.”
Unfortunately, their situation is not unusual. Thousands of elderly people in outlying areas suffer from avoidable cataract blindness because they can’t access or afford treatment.
But happily, our amazing donor family stepped in to provide Bertha and Sifiso with cataract surgery – and a chance for a second life.
Performed by a dedicated team from our Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness, the surgery is a quick 20-minute procedure. The Bureau can perform 200 surgeries in a seven-day blitz!
When their surgery day arrived, they felt no fear – only hope!
Sifiso went into theatre first, at Parys Hospital.
“I’m not scared,” Sifiso said quietly. “I’m happy because I am going to see again.”
After her surgery, Bertha emerged with a smile and an appetite. “Bring me bread, butter, polony, and cheese – then I’ll be happy,” she laughed.
Their cataract surgeries were successful, and their vision rapidly improved within the next 24 hours. Bertha soon began dreaming of cooking porridge for her husband’s breakfast again and helping more around the house to ease the burden on their daughter.
And of course, they are counting the days until their grandsons visit from the Eastern Cape, so they can see their faces clearly for the first time in years.
To our kind donors who made this possible, Bertha and Sifiso say “Thank You”, from the bottom of their hearts.
In restoring their sight, donors returned their independence and allowed them a second chance to dance to the rhythm of life.
Thank you!
*Names have been changed.