Victoria lived with bilateral cataracts for a whole year – it was difficult, at times a burden, and often lonely. "Everything changed. I couldn't go out anymore, I couldn't see my work anymore, nothing," Victoria shared.
Victoria's story is all too common. A 15-minute cataract surgery, a pair of eyeglasses, or medication is all that stands between a lifetime of darkness and a lifetime of sight for millions of people living with vision loss. People who can see are able to return to work or school and lead independent lives.
Above: Victoria working.
In the outskirts of Totonicapan, Guatemala, is a one-room adobe home where 21-year-old Victoria, her mother, and father reside. The house sits on a small plot of land where the family grows maize and squash. Inside, beautiful traditional textiles that the family sells at the market surround a large wooden loom.
Victoria works as a textile weaver. For an entire year, she could not see from either eye due to cataracts. She struggled to work and would often fall down. "I'd keep my head down so no one could see my eyes with cataracts because they would laugh at me."
Her parents saw a flyer for our partner clinic, where Victoria visited and received a cataract surgery through the generosity of Seva supporters. "I noticed the light during surgery and was feeling so happy."
Victoria went from a year of living in complete darkness to a lifetime of sight in just 15 minutes on the operating table. Victoria can once again read, continue her work as a weaver, and safely walk on her own without fear of falling or harassment. "I felt like I loved the sky," Victoria shared.
Above: Victoria with her mother and father.
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Your support enables Seva to build sustainable systems worldwide that provide critical eye care to the underserved – especially women, children, and indigenous communities. You can help children go back to school, adults go back to work, and communities thrive. When more people can see and lead healthy, productive lives, entire communities are transformed.
For just $50, you can provide sight-restoring cataract surgery to someone who is blind and transform their life!
Photos and video by Joe Raffanti.
Above: Victoria reading again!
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