Imagine failing the same grade twice. And the first grade, no less.
That’s an experience 11-year-old Hayat, in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, has gone through. Today Hayat, held back by difficulties with her eyesight, is continuing to work on her first-grade accreditation, alongside seven- and eight-year-olds.
Born with a twin brother, Hayat had vision problems from the very start. Immediately after birth, she underwent eye surgery. The hospital scheduled her for a follow-up appointment, but due to financial constraints and lack of transportation, the family was unable to return for it.
Her father explained that, as Hayat grew older, she continued to have trouble seeing.
“We knew she had difficulty seeing distant objects, but we couldn’t take her to a health facility because we didn’t have the money for treatment,” her father shared. “It pained us deeply to see her struggle. We began to lose hope in her education because her performance was poor.”
But Hayat persisted with her schoolwork, and she was in class when Operation Eyesight, in collaboration with Partners in Education Ethiopia, started a screening program at her school.
Hayat was quickly identified as having vision problems. Along with other students, she received a referral to our partner institution, the Tibebe Ghion Hospital, for a full eye exam. An optometrist diagnosed her with refractive error.
Just two days after her hospital visit, the project team returned to Hayat’s school with a life-changing package in tow – the students’ eyeglasses.
Hayat went home sporting her new eyeglasses, beaming as she announced that she could finally see clearly. Her family was thrilled, knowing that she now had what she needed to thrive in school.
“Thank Allah!” her father announced, then followed up with instructions for Hayat. “Now you can study well and improve your grades.”
The little girl was more than happy to agree.
Find out how support from our donors is helping us bring eye health care to thousands of children like Hayat through our School Eye Health programs!
Story written with files from Marnat Adugna, Senior Project Officer, Operation Eyesight / Partners in Education Ethiopia
