Organisation: Zimbabwe Council for the Blind
Location: Zimbabwe
Photographer: Grace Jegedeshe

Steven Mutukudzi, a 65-year-old pensioner, endured three years of worsening vision and debilitating eye discomfort, which forced him to stop working and depend on his wife and young children to manage their small farm. As his condition deteriorated, the family fell into deep poverty, unable to meet basic needs or keep the children in school. Steven tried alternative remedies without success and grew increasingly hopeless. On April 17, 2025, he finally visited the Norton Eye Unit, borrowing bus fare from a neighbor. Despite financial challenges, the compassionate team diagnosed him with bilateral cataracts and successfully operated on one eye at no cost. The surgery marked a turning point in Steven’s life, bringing back light and hope. Grateful for this renewed opportunity, he became determined to work again, take on odd jobs, and care for the farm. His dream is to fund the second surgery and return his children to school, giving them the education and future they deserve. Steven’s journey is one of resilience and renewed hope, made possible through the support of the Norton Eye Unit, which not only restored his vision but gave him and his family a second chance at a better life.