This year, SEE International returned to Engela State Hospital in Namibia to collaborate with longtime partner and world-renowned volunteer ophthalmologist Dr. Helena Ndume. Together, we set out with one mission: to restore sight to those living with preventable blindness. Namibia, a country of four million, has become a model for building sustainable eyecare on a national scale. Under Dr. Ndume’s leadership, and with Johnson & Johnson’s support, SEE has already helped provide almost 800 surgeries in Namibia this year alone, moving the country closer to a future where preventable blindness is eliminated and every patient has access to quality, lasting care.
Rosalia’s Story
One of the patients who recently received care at Engela State Hospital was Rosalia Punyati from Onamahoka village in the Ohangwena region. For years, Rosalia had endured worsening vision and relentless headaches. When she sought help at her local clinic, the nurses suspected her symptoms were linked to her eyesight and referred her to Engela State Hospital. After waiting for her chance, Rosalia finally received cataract surgery entirely free of cost.
The morning after her operation when bandages were removed, Rosalia could finally see clearly again:
“When I woke up today, they removed the eye patches and now I can see,” she said. “I cannot wait to go home and tell the people that I can now see.”
For Rosalia, restored sight brings her more clarity and confidence, the constant headaches she once endured finally at bay.
Restored Sight after 50 Years
Another patient who received care was Erastus Paulus Nelumbu from Ongonga village. Erastus traced the decline of his vision back nearly fifty years, to a day when a piece of bark struck his right eye while he was cutting logs to build his home. Slowly, a cloud formed over his vision, darkening his world. Despite his determination to continue working and raising his family, his sight loss weighed heavily on him. And after the passing of his wife in 2018, he reluctantly had to rely on the support of his children.
“My heart was dark because I couldn’t see anything, read anything, so my heart was completely dark because nothing was happening,” Erastus shared. But after receiving surgery at Engela State Hospital, 50 years of growing darkness suddenly turned to light:
“It has been a while without seeing, but now I can see,” he said gratefully. With his sight restored, Erastus can now return to reading and regaining his sense of independence.
An 8th Graders Eyesight
The program also treated children like Elia, an 8th grade student from Okaoande village. Vision loss had negatively impacted Elia’s education and daily life:
“In school I had to sit in front next to the chalkboard to see,” he explained. But when a seat wasn’t available, he often had to ask classmates to help move chairs just so he could follow along with lessons.
At home, Elia loved football and athletics, but his eyesight made both more challenging. An injury to his right eye years earlier had made his situation even worse. Fortunately, his family learned Dr. Ndume’s work at Engela State Hospital, supported by SEE and Johnson & Johnson. After a sight-restoring surgery, Elia’s life became brighter and more hopeful:
“I am happy that I can see now because I couldn’t see before,” he said with a smile.
Having regained his vision, Elia now has the freedom to sit anywhere in class, the confidence to learn without barriers, and the chance to better enjoy hobbies like playing football.
Together with our partners Dr. Helena Ndume and Johnson & Johnson, we are creating a visibly brighter future.
