Enia, 63, Zimbabwe

When Enia, a 63-year-old widow from Zvishavane went completely blind at the age of 60 it was such a shocking, painful experience that she almost cries when she relates it. All it took to restore Enia's sight after three years of blindness was a simple cataract operation. Photo: HelpAge Zimbabwe

Blind for three years

"Getting blind when you are old is very painful," she said. "I almost thought of committing suicide because I couldn't bear waiting for people to tell me what to, what to wear and what food to eat."

In 2007, Enia went completely blind for almost three years because of cataracts in her eyes.

Although Enia lives with her surviving son and daughter-in-law, she used to survive on farming and working in the community garden. She also used to be a pre-school teacher.

Dark days

The dark days of her blindness also bring sad memories. "I remember one day when I tried to go out of the hut. I fell into a pit and broke my arm. I had to be put in a plaster cast."

"Hupofu hunorwadza" (Being blind is very painful), she says, almost in tears.

But today, Enia is an ecstatic grandmother who has regained her sight thanks to a programme carried out by HelpAge Zimbabwe and partners.

"I couldn't believe I was seeing so clearly"

HelpAge Zimbabwe (HAZ), Eyes for Africa, the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, the National Council for the Blind, Rotary Club of Avondale and World Vision Zimbabwe conducted cataract operations in February 2010 in Zvishavane. Enia is one of the 54 older people from rural Zvishavane who benefited from this project.

She said: "After the operation and the medical staff took off the bandages, I couldn't believe I was seeing so clearly.

"I sang and danced. The hospital staff had to stop me. I was over joyed!"

Now Enia can do some of her household chores, like washing dishes and cleaning the house. When she heals completely, she can start to do the work she used to in order to put food on the table for her and her two grandchildren.