Democratic Republic of the Congo
Restoring eyesight
With 800.000 blind persons (1,2 % of the population), the number of blind or visually impaired people in Congo is amongst the highest in the world. LIGHT FOR THE WORLD is active in various regions of the DR Congo in different fields of blindness prevention and rehabilitation.
At the eye and ear department of the Saint Joseph hospital in Kinshasa, about 4,000 volunteers work with blind people and organize guidance for persons in suburban areas. If the blindness is treatable, they refer them to the hospital. No less than 740 children born with cataract have gained sight through surgery since the project was launched.
In the underprivileged South-East of DR Congo, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD is setting up a key VISION 2020 programme. With the eye clinic of Sainte Yvonne in Lubumbashi, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD organizes a cataract tracing programme and supports the training of young ophthalmologists at the city university.
In Mbuji Mayi, the capital of the East Kasaï region, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD supports the only well-functioning eye clinic in what can now be considered to be the second largest city in DR Congo. The resident eye surgeon is one of only two specialists in the whole country specialised in cataract surgery on children. To increase their number and effectively help diminuishing childhood blindness, students of the University of Lubumbashi will be sent to Mbuji Mayi as part of their training.
In the Katanga region, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD is engaged in a school programme providing basic education to blind and visually impaired children and teenagers. The school also promotes inclusive education at primary and secondary education levels, increasing their acceptance and facilitating the inclusion of blind and visually impaired persons into the community.
Enok - into a brigther future
Enok had been suffering from severe low vision ever since he was born. When his parents noticed it, they felt crestfallen. They feared their son would become a near outcast and would not be able to go to school or to find work. Fortunately, they discovered in time that treatment was available. Only two ophalmologists in DRC are trained to perform eye surgery on children. One of them works at the Saint-Joseph hospital in Kinshasa, supported by LIGHT FOR THE WORLD. At the age of four, Enok underwent eye surgery. Now he can see again! The follow-up care is organized by volunteer community workers.
Thanks to their support and guidance, he is now accepted as a full member of his community. These days Enok goes to school with his friends and receives an education.