50 Gambians suffering from cataract infection have had their lives changed through an eye operation sponsored by a UK charity called Operafrica. In collaboration with National Eye Care Programme and Sight Savers International, the project embarked upon by Operafrica, has for the past years been operating andproviding funds for beneficiaries to undergo eye operation.

Speaking to the Daily Observer on behalf of the group, the co-founder of the charity, Paul Stafford, said their humanitarian intervention is meant to help poor Gambians who cannot afford the cost of the operation. “There is increasing demand for these operations and many people are coming forward to undergo the screening process. The past operations have been so successful that patients who were initially frightened to come for the operation are now more confident,” he explained.

According to him, young people who were unable to work before because of cataract are now able to work and support their families. Whilst reiterating the charity’s commitment to continue the operations so as to benefit more patients, Stafford revealed that they have made interventions in other areas which he believes will help Gambia’s development. “We have been involved in simple projects that do have impacts on the lives of the people we seek to help.We have two gardens in Berending and Madina Salam which help women earn living,” he further informed.

According to him, they have also donated an ambulance to Sambuya village to help transport people to the hospital when they get sick. “We pay for the fuel, pay the driver and also provide maintenance cost for the ambulance,” he stated.  He finally expressed thanks to Noville RX Labs in the UK for donating them expensive glasses that will be given to patients who need them.