Organisation: Cure Blindness Project
Location: Tanzania

“For 26 years, my world was shrouded in blurriness. I was born in the Mbeya region of Tanzania, and from the very beginning, I was unable to see clearly if at all. I lived in perpetual night, feeling my way through life, relying on my other senses to navigate the world,” says Anastazia.  

“For 26 years, my world was shrouded in blurriness. I was born in the Mbeya region of Tanzania, and from the very beginning, I was unable to see clearly if at all. I lived in perpetual night, feeling my way through life, relying on my other senses to navigate the world,” says Anastazia.  

While Anastazia knew the weight of her 6-month-old son in her arms, she’d never seen him, due to bilateral cataract blindness. After ophthalmologists removed bandages following a successful surgery, his face came into view. 

“The joy of seeing my baby was overwhelming, but it was only the beginning. When asked what I most wanted to see next, my answer was immediate: my 7-year-old daughter. I had spent years imagining what she looked like, but now, I would finally get to see her with my own eyes. The thought of seeing her smile, her laughter, and the way she moves filled me with an indescribable excitement.” 

“The challenges I faced before were immense. Simple tasks like fetching water or cooking were hazardous. I couldn't contribute to my household, which made me feel like I was a burden. But now, with sight, all of that has changed. The surgery has given me a chance to live a life I never once dreamed of.” 

Since 1995, Cure Blindness Project with partners has restored sight to more than 1.6 million people. The NGO also expands local capacity through training, provides infrastructure and equipment, and establishes prevention programs to stop treatable conditions from progressing to blindness.