When Gloria was only two months old her parents noticed there was no movement across her eyes and she could not detect light. After trying herbal and traditional medicine her mother decided to get help from a local dispensary, but the doctor at the clinic was not able to help her; she referred them to CBM partner Tenwek hospital. She was diagnosed as having congenital cataract esotropia and went through a successful cataract surgery. Gloria can now see and play happily.
Referred to a CBM partner
Meet Gloria, this little active and beautiful girl, when she was only two months old her parents noticed there was no movement across her eyes and she could not detect light. Her parents George and Agnes of Migori County have four children in total and had no stable source of income. They depended on occasional casual jobs within their community. This made it difficult for them to access and afford treatment for Gloria.
The community encouraged the mother to use herbal medicine but she insisted on a hospital visit. Gloria’s mother decided to visit a nearby dispensary for further assessment. The doctor at the clinic was not able to help her, so she referred the baby to CBM partner Tenwek hospital . Gloria's parents could not afford the amount needed to cater for their transport needs to the hospital but the kind doctor saw the need and contributed towards this.
Successful surgery
Gloria was admitted immediately on arrival at Tenwek Hospital after being diagnosed as having congenital cataract esotropia (white spot in both eyes). She went through a successful cataract surgery.
A partnership between CBM and Standard Chartered Bank Kenya provides sponsorship so that children like Gloria can benefit and whose families may not be able to meet the cost of eye surgery. Gloria can now see to the extent that she can follow and touch anything that passes through her reach. Her mother who has played a key role in her life is the happiest woman you can imagine.
”I can now go to ‘kibarua’ (casual job) leaving the baby with others in the house, I am happy for Tenwek Hospital I will live to remember them” she says. The community was astonished, many of them now see the value of visiting a hospital for assessment rather than depending only on traditional and herbal medicines.