June expedition at the Schistos camp in Athens
During our June expedition at the Schistos camp in Athens, we met Dauda, a 39-year-old man from Sierra Leone. His story is heartbreaking and reflects the harsh realities that refugees face. After enduring brutal beatings and torture by military groups, Dauda lost vision in his left eye, and his right eye was severely affected by a cataract. This condition made him dependent on the help of other refugees for even the most basic daily tasks.
With the support of our team, we arranged his first consultation with Dr. Mavrikakis at an ophthalmology clinic in Athens. After a thorough examination, it was confirmed that the trauma to his head and face had severely damaged the optic nerve in his left eye and caused the premature development of the cataract. Although the vision in his right eye could not be restored, the doctor scheduled cataract surgery for his left eye.
The surgery was a success, performed at the Athens Eye Hospital. Dauda’s life transformed after the operation. He regained his independence and no longer needed assistance for his daily activities. His smile, long absent, returned along with the hope for a better future.
A few days after the operation, Dauda sent us a heartfelt message of gratitude in the form of a song, which we proudly shared with the wonderful Dr. Mavrikakis. This moment reminded us why our work is so necessary and rewarding.
“Dauda’s smile, once lost to the darkness of his past, returned with the light of restored vision and newfound hope.”
