MEAK’s reputation as a provider of ophthalmic treatment is now well established, having completed over 35 outreach missions in Kenya since our first clinic in 2003. Over 22,000 people have been examined and nearly 5000 have received corrective surgery. With the co-operation of our partners at The Lions Club and Kwale District Eye Centre we are now recognized as serious contributors to eye care in Kenya and currently have a long list of requests from various parts of the country that we provide eye camps in their locations.

Blindness in Kenya is 10 times more common than in the Western world with large numbers of people with conditions that could easily be reversed for low cost. For example, large numbers of children become blind due to a simple vitamin A deficiency in their formative years. Teaching awareness of this avoidable condition is considered a priority.

Northern Kenya, which is an extremely remote, poor, rural area, very difficult to access, is a target area for MEAK and we have made this the destination for at least ten missions. Because of the difficult terrain and lack of roads, medical support in general is extremely limited. Flies are abundant and the lack of medical support and other amenities mean that disease is often left unchecked. Trachoma is a disease which is spread by contact and by eye seeking flies. After years of infection and re-infection, scarring is initiated on the inner eyelid causing the lid to turn inwards making the eyelashes rub the eyeball at each blink. MEAK along with other organizations are actively engaged in combating this awful affliction by surgery, antibiotics and education in the importance of facial cleanliness as well as encouraging environmental changes. This programme represents an extremely important element of all our missions.

As will be realised, life in the remoter parts of Kenya can be really tough. Day to day subsistence and survival is the main consideration on waking each morning. Being personally blind or having a family member with that condition is a burden unimaginable to those of us living in the Western world. Returning sight to such people is a gift worth more than gold, and a quote from one of our lady patients sums up perfectly what that gift means to each of them.

“I was only a useless thing, I couldn’t cook or even help with the children. I was so depressed and didn’t know what to do. Now I have a life again”

Makes it all worthwhile don’t you think ?