Into the Light

Into the Light As an assignment for the Dutch Eye Care Foundation, I went to Ghana in order to make a photographic feature of people who have cataract (eye problem which can cause blindness). The Eye care Foundation which also runs programs in nepal and Cambodia helps the blind people of Ghana and gives them hope, self esteem and a future.
Meet the five persons who I followed during their screening and operation: Isa, Latifah, Abbul, Mary and Azara Name. Isa. Age. 60. Blind Isa travels 200 kilometers from Salaga to Bawku in order to get an eye operation.

       

I wish I can work on the land again
Isa is blind. He is dependent on his daughter Latifah who holds his hand during the long trip. Isa is a farmer and can not work anymore. His six children and his brothers are now working on the land because he can not tell the difference between weeds and vegetation. Since five months Isa gradually lost vision on both eyes because of cataract.
Name Latifah. Age. 15. Daughter of Isa “I am very worried about my father. He can not see anymore so my three sisters and two brothers are working on the land now while i help my mother with the cooking. I hope he can see after the operation because my father is a farmer and his life is on the land”.

I wish I can play football with my friends again 
Name Haddi Abbul. Age. 15. Corneal Trauma Haddi is treated by Dr Mohammed on his left eye. He suffers from a severe corneal trauma which has to be treated immediately. Haddi arrives just in time in the Garu Eye Clinic for a trauma that causes blindness.

I wish I can see my grandchildren again
Name Mary Kelibilla. Age. 81. Blind Mary travels from Pusiga to Garu to be treated on her blindness. Since one year she is completely blind and is not able to see her grandchildren. Her husband died and six of her children live in the south of Ghana. She feels isolated and is worried about her future. ‘My children send me food but I want to trade fruit and vegetables on the market again and not feel so dependent on my family and friends’.

I wish I can be a better mother for my children
Name. Azara Adamu. Age. 40. Kissing Pterygium Azara, mother of five children and second wife, travels from Tempane to Garu to get an eye surgery. She waited too long to visit the clinic and her mucous membrane is rapidly growing over her cornea. She has to be operated several times for the rest of her lifetime in order to prevent total blindness. Azara is in pain and both her eyes are irritated and itching for two years now. She is worried because she can not provide het two youngest children with sufficient care. She is the second wife of her husband who has to divide his attention between two big families. She wants to work on the land again and be a better mother for her children.

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