ETHIOPIA

Jatani , 75

Jatani Guyo Jawe lives in Ego village in the Borena district of Dubluk. He is one of the oldest pastoralists in the village. Jatani lost all his cattle to the drought.

“I moved to this village in my early thirties. I came here in search of a better life for myself. I got married here in this village and then stayed here.

All my grandchildren go to school, but I don’t know what grades they are in. But I see them holding exercise books running to school every morning. 

My life was good before the drought hit. I would usually drink milk and buy food.

Then the drought came to our village. All our rivers and ponds dried up. There was no water or hay for our cows.

Out of fear, my son took all my cattle to a place called Melbana hoping that they might survive. When my son returned, he only came back with two cows. They are all gone. 

We can’t buy food because we don’t have any money, so we don’t eat. Since the drought hit, lack of food has become my biggest challenge. We might have a cup of tea in the morning and sometimes eat a little maize at night when it is available.

In most cases we don’t eat. 

There is no source of clean water in our village. I hear there is a motorised water scheme about 2 hours away from our village. It is not clean. Since we have no option, we drink it.” 

Elemtu, 75

Elemtu is just one of the older people our partners were able to reach with treatment, showing that a simple procedure can change an older person’s life.

Elemtu lives in Megada Village in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. She used to work on a farm and help her son with housework, but three years ago she started suffering from headaches and dizziness. She told her family that her sight was becoming blurry. 

One day everything went dark, and Elemtu could no longer see. She lost her independence and relied on her grandchildren for everything, including going to the toilet. 

“Gradually, my life became harder and harder. I felt very sad and there was nothing I, nor anyone else, could do to change that. I enjoy living with the grandchildren of mine. We laugh together and play. They keep me happy and help me forget the pain.

I understand it must be difficult for my grandchildren. They need so many things like food, clothing and schooling. It is surely not easy, especially with me also being a burden and not helping as a result of my blindness.” 

Elemtu’s village leader told her family about our eye care outreach campaign at Bule Hora hospital, and she had hope.  

Elemtu’s son took her to the hospital, where she was screened and diagnosed with cataracts. She then received an operation to remove her cataracts.  

“I was delightedly rejoiced when I regained my sight. I can see. I cannot believe this was ever possible. Now, I can once again go to the farm and help my son and grandchildren. I am overjoyed. I can see.”