Joyce Kaaya

After nine months of failing sight, Joyce Kaaya had become completely reliant on her family. Thankfully, CBM was able to give her independence back through a life-changing cataract operation.

Joyce at home before her operation. Photo: CBM/argum/Einberger

Joyce (57) lives in a small rural village in Tanzania. She increasingly had to rely on her family to help her look after herself, her 92 year old father, and her livestock, because of cataracts that were claiming her sight. Her two children, Ombeni and Esther, had also had to sacrifice their own jobs in order to look after her on a full-time basis as her sight deteriorated.

Joyce attended a screening session that was organised by the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) near Moshi. It was here that she heard the news that she had never imagined she would ever hear - she had cataracts and she could be cured!

"If this comes true, life will be like a dream for my mother" - Ombendi

The whole family were amazed and thought that it sounded too good to be true!

The 10 Millionth Cataract

On the morning of the 28th October 2010, a nervous Joyce went into surgery with CBM ophthalmologist Dr Heiko Philippin as her surgeon. There were many other operations taking place as KCMC has four operating tables side-by-side.

Joyce recovering after surgery. Photo: CBM/argum/Einberger

The operation went smoothly. Dr Philippin removed Joyce's opaque lens and replaced it with an intraocular lens - restoring her sight and meaning that she won't develop a cataract again.

Joyce's operation was a success and it has been a completely life-changing moment for her and her family.

It's also pretty special for CBM too, as it symbolically marks the ten millionth CBM-supported cataract surgery.

After the operation, Joyce was returned to the ward where she slept for the rest of the afternoon but when she woke she was very happy - thanking God and CBM and looking forward to being able to read her Bible again.

Joyce's operation not only gave her independence through her restored sight, but it also enabled her children to continue to lead their own lives.