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Born blind, Farouk can now play with his friends

My story

Farouk was teased because he could not see.

Aged three and a half, Farouk is a very engaging child. He is always seeking out and touching objects around him. It is a shock when you realise that he was born blind.

Farouk's mother, Comfort, said "Farouk does not complain but he can't find things easily as he has to feel around for them. That's why I knew something was wrong with his eyes".

How we helped

Since 2004, Seeing is Believing along with its partners Sightsavers International and the Ministry of Health in Kwara State, have integrated eye care activities into healthcare systems across the state.

Farouk travelled 100km with Comfort to visit a Sobi Specialist Hospital in Illorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, which specialises in child cataract cases. Cataract operations for children are complicated because a general anaesthetic and additional post-operative care is required.

Farouk's surgery was a great success. Over the next few months, his sight will continue to improve. However, because he was born blind, Farouk will have to learn how to see.

Some children are less fortunate than Farouk. For children who have surgery after the age of seven, it is too late for their brain to learn how to see.

If you would like to help people like Farouk, please donate here.