Our Work

Amina see's her grandson for the first time' © Riccardo Gangale / Sightsavers

Amina see's her grandson for the first time' © Riccardo Gangale / Sightsavers

Print this Page

Aminas Story

Amina Cassimo is 66-years-old and had been a subsistence farmer for most of her life. She had bilateral cataract for 3 years and up until very recently she lived with her husband, who took care of her by himself despite being sick for many years. Sadly Amina's husband died just 20 days ago.

Losing her husband forced Amina to move into her son Ali's home as she was unable to live independently. Ali Albrissira, her only remaining son, is married to Catherina Jose and together they have six children, two boys and four daughters. His youngest child is a boy Zacarias, and he's almost three years old.

Before her operation
Amina's son told us that his mum was very unhappy with her situation. He explained that she found all the recent upheavel in her life very difficult to overcome and that most of all she feels very unhappy that her blindness has left her so totally dependant.

Ali told us that because she is unfamiliar with his home; "she has found walking around the house difficult because she bumps into furniture, but lucklily she has her grandchildren to help her with the little things like going to the toilet, bringing her to her bed and helping her to eat."

Amina feels sad and alone when her family leave her during the day
When asked what she misses most because she is blind, Amina told us: "I miss being able to walk alone, to help with the household work like cooking and cleaning and working with my family in the fields". She explained, "in the morning everyone in my family and all my neighbours leave early to work in the fields. I am left alone in the house and I feel sad and very alone". Her son also explained that it is hard for the family to leave her alone but that this is a necessity.

After her operation
Amina's was overcome to be able to see again. We travelled with her back to Ali's home to document the moment she was greeted by her family. There was huge excitment as she walked by herself towards the house. Ali's wife, Catherina, was singing and clapping while her children were gathering to meet their grandmother.

Meeting her grandson for the first time
The baby in the house, Zacarias, was woken form his lunchtime nap and brought out to meet his grandmother and it was very emotional to witness Amina see this child for the very first time. All of her grandchildren gathered around her, each competing with each other to hug her and hold her. It was a wonderful family reunion full of laughter and hugs.

Despite the recent berievement in this family, this was a joyous occassion. Meeting Amina hammered home the importance of the extended family for people who are blind and how a persons life can be so enhanced by a successful cataract operation. We were all delighted for Amina and her family but I did feel a profound sense of saddness that Amina had missed the opportuntiy to see her husband again before he died by just three weeks.