I am no longer the same
-
-
© CBM
Amos, smiling after the patch was removed from his eye
Amos, a 12 year old boy was diagnosed with cataract in his left eye at a CBM’s partner, Lighthouse for Christ Eye Centre mobile outreach. Although in great need of surgery then, he could not make it to Lighthouse because of financial obstacles. With their neighbours’ assistance help finally came through. Amos was admitted to the hospital and had a successful cataract surgery. A partnership between CBM and Standard Chartered Bank in Kenya provided sponsorship for his eye operation. Amos is now happy and looking foward to going back to school.
Mobile outreach brings services closer
Looking at him you may wonder the deep thoughts running through his mind. You will however, not fail to notice the calm peaceful spirit in him. He is a quiet boy who likes his peace.
Meet Amos, a 12 year old boy and the last born in a family of five. His mother, a housewife, regularly involves herself in small businesses in order to keep her family going. The father is a retired civil servant. The family lives in Tezo, Kilifi county about 80 kilometers from Mombasa. Amos has never entertained fighting in his life but recalls an incident while in school, where another pupil hit him with a fist on the left side of his face way back in 2005. He reported to the incidence to his parents but they didn’t take it up further.
In July 2011 while using the mirror, Amos noticed a white spot in his left eye. Luckily for him CBM’s partner Lighthouse for Christ Eye Centre organized a mobile outreach in Kilifi. Amos was diagnosed with cataract in his left eye at the mobile outreach. Although in great need of surgery then, he could not make it to Lighthouse because he was preparing for his end year exam, which he did not want to miss.
January 2012, Amos was enrolled in a secondary school but could not continue with his studies because his vision kept on deteriorating. Life for him became more complicated since the family could not afford to take him to a specialized hospital for treatment. This became a challenge for him as he was missing school and could not interact with his peers.
Through a routine follow up by Lighthouse for Christ Eye Centre it was discovered that Amos had not visited the hospital as advised during the mobile outreach. His parents could not raise bus fare to the hospital. However, with their neighbours’ assistance help finally came through. Amos’ mother also had to borrow money with a hope of refunding later as savings from her small cereals business was inadequate.
Meet Amos, a 12 year old boy and the last born in a family of five. His mother, a housewife, regularly involves herself in small businesses in order to keep her family going. The father is a retired civil servant. The family lives in Tezo, Kilifi county about 80 kilometers from Mombasa. Amos has never entertained fighting in his life but recalls an incident while in school, where another pupil hit him with a fist on the left side of his face way back in 2005. He reported to the incidence to his parents but they didn’t take it up further.
In July 2011 while using the mirror, Amos noticed a white spot in his left eye. Luckily for him CBM’s partner Lighthouse for Christ Eye Centre organized a mobile outreach in Kilifi. Amos was diagnosed with cataract in his left eye at the mobile outreach. Although in great need of surgery then, he could not make it to Lighthouse because he was preparing for his end year exam, which he did not want to miss.
January 2012, Amos was enrolled in a secondary school but could not continue with his studies because his vision kept on deteriorating. Life for him became more complicated since the family could not afford to take him to a specialized hospital for treatment. This became a challenge for him as he was missing school and could not interact with his peers.
Through a routine follow up by Lighthouse for Christ Eye Centre it was discovered that Amos had not visited the hospital as advised during the mobile outreach. His parents could not raise bus fare to the hospital. However, with their neighbours’ assistance help finally came through. Amos’ mother also had to borrow money with a hope of refunding later as savings from her small cereals business was inadequate.
I can see
-
©CBM
-
Amos, after a successful surgery, before the patch on his eye was removed
The big day finally came. Amos was admitted to the hospital and had a successful cataract surgery. “I am now happy because I am healed” Amos said, a day after surgery and even before the patch on his eye was removed. When the eye patch was finally removed, Amos exclaimed in joy “Thank you Jesus! Mum, I can see.” “It is like a miracle” was his mother’s response. She just could not believe it.
No one could miss the smile on Amos’s face as he was singing “I am no longer the same, I have a testimony to give on Sunday at church” were his last words before he left the eye centre.
Amos appreciates the fact that his future will now be brighter. He is looking forward to going back to school and pursuing his dreams. He is grateful that somebody took responsibility to ensure that despite his family’s financial situation, he could still benefit from sight restoring surgery. It was a life changing moment for him.
Since 2008, a partnership between CBM and Standard Chartered Bank in Kenya provides sponsorship for children’s eye operations through the Bank’s global Seeing is Believing Initiative, at various CBM supported eye centres across the country.
No one could miss the smile on Amos’s face as he was singing “I am no longer the same, I have a testimony to give on Sunday at church” were his last words before he left the eye centre.
Amos appreciates the fact that his future will now be brighter. He is looking forward to going back to school and pursuing his dreams. He is grateful that somebody took responsibility to ensure that despite his family’s financial situation, he could still benefit from sight restoring surgery. It was a life changing moment for him.
Since 2008, a partnership between CBM and Standard Chartered Bank in Kenya provides sponsorship for children’s eye operations through the Bank’s global Seeing is Believing Initiative, at various CBM supported eye centres across the country.
