2011 Trip to Mizan Teferi , Western Highlands
see a report on this trip by Orthoptist Elizabeth Glatz
see also video report with Julie Tyers
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2010/2011 Trip to Harar
Eyes For Africa visit to Harar succeeded in performed 193 cataract surgeries.
Harar - is famous for the way Christians and Muslims have lived in harmony
for hundreds of years.’ It’s the only place where you'll find a church and
a mosque side by side - it's listed by UNESCO for this reason.
The E.F.A. team treated a range of people from the 95-year-old village woman
to the seven-year-old girl who will now be able to attend school for the
first time. One of the highlights was the successful treatment of nine-year-old
boy
with bilateral cataracts. The day following surgery he was asked what he
could see. He answered that he could see his mother for the first time!
The seven strong team, were treated with amazing hospitality by both the
local government and residents. From touching down at local airport the team
received
an official welcome and on completion a farewell lunch at the president’s
residence. As the Hararian expatriate community is quite strong a widespread
throughout
the world, the success of this project was reported in Africa, the US and
Europe!
Eyes for Africa hope to return again by end 2011.
Our Anaesthetist Dr. Shankar doing a pre-op check |
Our surgeon Dr Hassan performing the cataract surgery |
Dr Hassan doing a post-op check |
The Eyes For Africa Australian Team |
The Harar Hospital operating theatre in action |
L-R : The Harar Hospital CEO Dr Mohammed Mawi, Dr Abu , Dr Nuradin, Dr Ahmed Hassan, EFA Team Leader Julie Tyers. |
Dr Jamal Yusef , President Murad and EFA Team leader Julie |
The Harar Hospital Outpatients Team |
Julie doing a post-op check |
Julie with young boy after his cataract surgery |
The new A-scanner was used for the first time in Harar |
Post-op patients waiting to go home |
Letter from Dr.Mohammed Mawi , Jugal Hospital Manager ( 21st May, 2010)
I would like to express my admiration and thanks on behalf of Harari people and
those who will regain their sight by cataract surgery campaign in Jugal
Hospital which is the first national Hospital in Ethiopia and located in
UNESCO heritage town of Harar.
I understood The success Story of Eye For Africa in Ethiopia by Visiting your
wave site.and we will do unreserved effort for the success of the campaign
in our Hospital .till now we disseminated about the campaign by local mass
Media radio and started registering and screening. we attained support from
our Hospital Governing board (all are government officials), management committee
and our Ophthalmologist. I attached about our ophthalmic activity, front view
photo of Jugal Hospital and item we have and don't have.
Finally I thank again for choosing our Hospital and Harar. ( click here to view more about Jugal Hospital )
Dr.Mohammed Mawi , Jugal Hospital Manager
May 2009
EYES FOR AFRICA RESTORES SIGHT TO TRIBES PEOPLE LIVING IN REMOTE ETHIOPIA
Southern Omo Valley Ethiopia.
Over 1000 people living in remote and rural areas of Ethiopia were screened
for eye complaints and given free glasses or cataract surgery to restore their
vision.
No eye care has been given in this area before due to the remoteness.
Local and international doctors ,optometrists, nurses Alcon rep, photographer
and volunteers participated to achieve an outstanding result of over 200 cataract
surgeries in 10 days, including 48 trichiasis surgeries due to Trachoma.We
travelled neally 700 kms in 2 days by truck to Jinka and Turmi, over very remote
and rough terrain to treat people from the Ari, Bume,Mursi, Hamar,Nyangatom
,Dassanech and Karo tribes.
Thankyou to Lions Recycle for Sight Australia for donating sunnies, The Optical
Superstore for donating frames,Carl Zeiss vision for optical lenses,Device
technology, design for vision, Alcon for the loan of phaco emulsification machine
, and Zeiss for the loan of the portable microscope.
Donations from fundraising and generosity of the Australian public has made
this campaign a success.
Eyes for Africa has now restored sight to over 600
people since 2007.
Eyes for Africa Team arrived at Addis Ababa Bole Airport |
Ivy and Louisa ( Volunteer Optometrists assessing patients ) |
Peter K. from Alcon and Julie Tyers setting up
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"Four wise men" after their procedure
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Amazing eyes of village child |
Our Jinka Team 2009 scrubbing up ! |
Dr Michael Shiu examining patient |
Dr Michael Shiu operating , Chelsea assisting |
Ivy and Louisa ( Volunteer Optometrists) |
Barrassa (Volunteer Anaesthetist) |
Zebiba (Surgical co-ordinator)
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Julie, Jack (photographer), Michael, Chelsea, Peter |
Volunteers-Yosi and Dr.Howard Amiel (USA) |
Birhanie Bekele, Zinash Ayalew and Seid Idris |
A-Scanner kindly donated by State-One Stockbroking |
In November 2007 Bruce (my brother, official photographer) and I travelled to Butajira, Ethiopia for the initial eyes for Africa project.
We travelled by car 135km south from Addis the capital, along an asphalt road to Butajira. Along the way we passed traditional houses called tukuls, made from straw and sticks with mud floors, and crops of maize and tef. The weather was hot during the day and cooler at night.
We were greeted at the Grarbet Institution by Prof Redda and Mr Teshome, the coordinators of the project on ground. They had already accommodated 150 patients into the compound. The patients stayed with family until their turn for sight restoring cataract surgery. Their cooks provided njerra, vegie dishes, bread and water.
Every day Dr Fitsum operated on 20-30 patients until the target of 200 was reached. Dr Asfaw in Ziway helped by performing 30 of these.
The nurses were very kind and caring to the patients who were grateful of our efforts to restore their sight. We were made very welcome and enjoyed the hospitality from everyone.
The local outreach nurses planned to visit each patient in one week and one month for check up.
We were overwhelmed by the gratitude of the patients for the chance to regain their sight.
We are now planning for our return to Butajira and Omo valley in January 2009 where no surgeries have been performed.
Only A$20 is needed to restore eyesight.
Julie
See a Google satellite image of the Grarbet Institution, Butajira, Ethiopia
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Photos by Bruce McDonald
