Location: Kakamega County, Kenya.

Organisation: Sightsavers

I’m turning 12 this year. I love playing football, that’s my hobby. English is my favourite subject in school and I love it.

The first time I had [pain in] my eyes, they were just itching and [weeping]. I came and told my mum. I told her that it is very painful, but she didn’t understand. 

I didn’t feel good. It was bad. Every morning when I woke up, they were red and they were painful.  

There was a day that I came and told my class teacher that I’m not seeing well and I want to sit in front.  

Jayden explains that a community health promoter visited his school, tested his eyes and referred him to hospital to get glasses. 

[On the day I went to hospital] I woke up early in the morning. When we got there, there were many people, so we just waited in the line. We got through to the doctors and they told my mum that I have an eye problem. They took me to a room and there were many frames, and they just told me: “Choose the frame that you like.” 

That day, I was happy! The glasses were very good. I just saw well – I can read, I can see small things. I’m just happy, I can do anything. 

© Sightsavers/ Samuel Otieno