Back then, I was okay; I worked hard and looked after us. The blackflies were always there though, down at the river. We were both bitten many times, without realising the danger.

Then the itching started. Over time, it turned into pain. My head… my chest… my back… my legs… It was unbearable. Many people here have the scars; we call them ‘Leopard Skin’.

My eyes began watering. Everything became blurred; I could see less and less. One day everything went black. I have been blind now for thirty years. I had lots of friends; now I isolate myself.

I wished for my children to have a better life. My daughter, Rakiya, was married but she went blind like I did, and her husband told her to leave. She came back with her three children, to find that I and her brother were both blind as well.

Rakiya and my son grow vegetables but have to beg sometimes. We often don’t eat. In truth, I am waiting to die, because I can’t do anything on my own. Only taking part in this effort makes me glad to still be here.

I didn’t know there was a medicine that could have saved us, but it is not too late for others. My prayer now is for my grandchildren to be saved from this disease."