Seeing the Board, Seeing His Future

Yabebal is a 13-year-old boy from Ayer Tena Kebele, Ethiopia. Bright and hardworking, he loved school. But a growing cataract began to steal his sight, his confidence and his place among his peers.

As his vision worsened, classmates mocked him, turning school into a place of fear. He struggled to read, relying on teachers to read exam questions aloud, and quietly worried about his future.

When told surgery would cost more than his family could ever afford, Yabebal refused to give up. He began walking long distances to sell handmade chewing sticks, hoping to save enough for treatment. But the money went toward food, and hope slipped further away.

Everything changed during a school eye screening. Yabebal was diagnosed and quickly referred for free cataract surgery. The next day, his sight was restored.

Now, Yabebal can see clearly again. But the impact goes far beyond vision. He has returned to school with confidence, free from stigma and ready to learn.

Learn more about the impact of our work in the 2025 Annual Report.