Restoring Vision In the New Sudan

More than 90% of the world's visually impaired live in developing countries like Sudan. The principle causes of vision problems and blindness in Southern Sudan—Trachoma, Onchocerciasis (River Blindness), and childhood malnutrition—can be prevented or treated.
According to the World Health Organization...

The medical clinic in Nimule, South Sudan

• There is only 1 eye care specialist for every 500,000 people in Southern Sudan.
• In rural Sudan, 6.4% of the population is blind (1% is blind in the rest of Africa).
• In rural areas, 35% of blindness is due to River Blindness.
• Almost 20% of the world's blind people live in sub-Saharan Africa
• An estimated 2.2 million Africans are blind due to trachoma.
• There are at least 300,000 blind children in Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, globally, up to 75% of all blindness is avoidable. However, in Sudan most people do not have access to health care or education about the importance of annual eye examinations to maintain sight. Poverty, inadequate healthcare and the lack of a supply of available eyeglasses renders adequate vision unattainable to most of the population.

A home visit for an eye examination

In the Spring of 2008 I participated in Operation Nehemiah’s “Sight for Sudan” project. We were able to do eye exams and provide eyeglasses to over 200 Sudanese. We had also identified 50 people whose vision was impaired by cataracts. I recently received word from William Levi of Operation Nehemiah that these people are still in need of surgery. On my next trip I hope to bring an eye surgeon to help meet this need. I also plan on bringing along some eye care equipment, a focometer and a retinoscope, available through InFocus, a non-profit organization that empowers communities worldwide to improve eye health and eliminate preventable blindness

The restoration of sight to people with vision problems is an important step toward empowering the Sudanese people. Restoring a person's sight can enable him or her to hold a job and contribute to feeding and housing a family. It can also mean that a person can participate more fully in society, and enjoy seeing the world and be able to read. Please consider supporting this effort by offsetting some of the $1,000 cost of the eye equipment we need to help people see again.

The Latest News From The Field

We are joyful to hear that the container of medicine has finally arrived in Nimule, South Sudan. Our Sudanese partners there are working out a plan for distributing the medicines to ministries throughout the Eastern Equatorial region. We will have a more detailed report once these plans are finalized.

As you may know, South Sudan is about to become "the world's newest country" in July. Yet, 90% of the population lives on less than $1 a day. The entire region is plagued by multiple systemic health issues as a result of years of war. The conflict between the southern and northern regions of Sudan, dating back to 1955, has contributed to the health challenges in the country and a shortage of health care workers. Ongoing inter-tribal tensions exacerbate the problem due to the lack of cooperation needed to develop an integrated health delivery network.

Meanwhile, the people continue to suffer. More than 80% of the population has no sanitary toilet access or potable drinking water. The maternal mortality rate – an estimated 2,054 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births – is the worst in the world, and almost one in seven children die before reaching one year old. The region also has very high rates of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

These medical supplies that we have provided to the South Sudanese are crucial to their day-to-day health, yet so much remains to be done. Please help support our ministry by giving generously today so that we can continue to help as South Sudan becomes its own nation in July.

Update From the Field

Praise God!

The container of medicine arrived in Port Mombasa this week, and we were getting concerned that port fees would start to accrue if the funds didn't come through in a timely manner to pay for transportation to South Sudan. Over coffee this morning I received an email stating that a donor was willing to advance the exact amount we needed. So, the work moves ahead... and we trust that the team on the ground will soon have the medicine in hand for distribution to those who need it the most...Our goal now is to raise the monthly support needed to ensure a steady flow of medicine and medical equipment.

In another show of God's provision, we were able to find a shipper who can move the medical supplies from Mombasa, Kenya to Nimule, Sudan for $4,500 - half of what we had originally anticipated. We have updated our donation forms to reflect this change - now a mere $5 pays to move the container one mile. Please do not forget that we still need to raise the money to pay for moving the container, although it is currently moving. Also pray that the shipping will be smooth, without major delays because of weather, truck failure, or human intervention.

It is a real joy to be connected to people who care enough to respond to the desperate need of those who don't have much of a voice in this world. Thank you.

Robert Kirkman