Bibi’s story: new hope and joy

Happy Easter! Today we celebrate, even in these challenging times, because Christ is risen – alleluia!

Bibi (the name for grandma in Swahili) has new joy and hope in her life thanks to supporters like you. This is her story…

Bibi knew her sight could be restored. She knew she needed cataract surgery. She wasn’t afraid. In fact, for the past two years, she was eager to have the surgery. She just had to go the hospital and get it done.

But Bibi couldn’t pay for the operation to restore her sight – even though it can be done for as little as £24.

Bibi lives in a poor, rural village in Tanzania. Due to her poor vision, she had to stop working in her fields and could no longer grow maize and beans for food. She was forced to stop cooking. She used to call out to her grandchildren when they were playing in front of her… she could no longer see their faces smiling at her. And she’d fall down and wouldn’t be able to get up.

Bibi became completely dependent on her children for all of her basic needs, including food. Her daughter came daily to care for her. But Bibi was eager to return to the life she loved… providing for herself, seeing her grandchildren and attending church with her neighbours.

Thankfully, a community outreach worker discovered Bibi at her home and told her she could receive free cataract surgery at CBM’s partner hospital, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).

Bibi clapped her hands together when she heard the news! “I’m so very thankful and happy because I’m very sick. I have to walk with a stick now. So I’m extremely excited to have the surgery.”

Bibi had successful sight-restoring surgery at KCMC hospital. After her bandages were removed, she beamed at the doctor and nurses with delight “I can see you!” Turning to her granddaughter she proudly said, “Even my grandchild looks different. She’s grown up. She is tall!”

Bibi cannot wait to return home. She can’t wait to return to her fields and is excited to become independent again. She knows that her daughter is now free to work and provide for her own family, rather than caring for her. She also plans to repair her house with the stone and sand that she’s been storing since before she became blind. But first, Bibi is going to church to pray.

Thanks to supporters like you, Bibi is filled with new hope and joy. “I’m praying for whoever paid for my surgery. Thank you so much!”