Like Rudia, you could help bring hope to a family this Christmas

In Tanzania, many families like Rudia’s live long distances from hospitals and struggle to access vital health care.

Rudia and her husband live with their daughter, Ebenezeri, and two nephews, Joseph and Ezekiel. After noticing they were all suffering with eye problems, her dedication to her family helped change their lives.

Both of her nephews and her daughter had cataracts. Rudia was especially worried about Joseph, who was 10 years old and had stopped going to school.

Rudia wanted to do everything she could to help give them a chance of a brighter future. Here’s her powerful story in her own words.

“Joseph told me he couldn’t be happy or play when he was at school, which is why he stopped going. He said he felt different because of his poor eyesight and when he tried to join in with his friends, he struggled to keep up. I worried about how lonely and shy he was.

“I said to my husband that even if Joseph has eye problems, going back to school will help him gain confidence and feel good. I have taken over responsibility for Joseph and Ezekiel’s schooling. Ezekiel has been held back four years because of his eyesight and is still at school. I help Ezekiel by providing him with exercise books, uniform and other school requirements.

“Education is the most important thing and that’s why I took Joseph to the hospital.

“I took my daughter Ebenezeri as well because I thought there was a chance she might have eye problems too. I didn’t want her to go through what her older cousins have had to face.

“At the hospital we met Dr Noel Nalogwa, who told me Joseph and Ebenezeri had cataracts. As they were genetic, he visited our home to check Ezekiel’s eyes too.

“The doctor referred us to Sightsavers, who brought us all to the hospital so that all three of them could have operations on the same day.

“During the surgeries, I didn’t eat at all, I was so worried. I worried and worried until I started to cry.

“But then the doctors told me all was well and the operations were a success.”

Look through the gallery below to see the cousins after their operations.

“When we came back home, there were people who kept congratulating me on a job well done. They said, ‘It may appear small, but you have done a great thing.’ Joseph and Ezekiel told me, ‘Auntie, we rely on you.’ They love me and I help them whenever I can.

“I would like to plead that your kindness should not start and end with us, because every environment, every society has children with these eye problems. I urge that when and if you meet such children, please hold their hands and walk with them like you did with us.”

Thanks to supporters like you, the work of our local partners and the determination of his aunt, Joseph was able to have his vital sight-saving operation. His brother Ezekiel and his cousin Ebenezeri also got the life-changing treatment they needed.

But there are still so many families that need our help this Christmas. Today, you can help make a huge difference for a family like Joseph’s.