Médard, our professional ophthalmic assistant was on mission one day in an out-of-the-way village. He examined lots of blind people. River blindness is still rife around there. All of a sudden he came upon a young 35-ish woman. “Bilateral cataract. This woman can be cured”, he told the elders, standing around him, especially the village chief. “That is impossible, she is a witch. Anyone, who goes blind so early in life, has something to hide, something is not right there! After all, even those with river blindness can see at that age! And anyway, the whole village knows she is a witch, even her husband has left her! She only ekes out a living with her two children.” “And I’m telling you, we can cure her! The next time there is an ophthalmic mission in Lusambo, send her downriver, and you’ll find out! 

Originally, still blind in both eyes.

That is how the young woman was waiting in Lusambo already on the first day. A pirogue had brought her; Nurse Médard paid her fare, as the woman doesn’t have anything.
After the operation on the right eye with professional assistant Médard

With her children, what joy
Prior to the operation on the left eye
..and after the operation...
I can see!!!

She was overjoyed after the operations. When we took the bandage off after the second procedure, she was full of gratitude and thanks. Then the woman disappeared. I don’t know the end of the story. Most likely she ran home to her village to pre: I CAN SEE AGAIN, I’M NOT A WIRCH! Next time we shall visit her village. What a good advertisement she will be for the other patients!!!
Lusambo Mission, February 2012.