After two and half years of blindness, Rozalia gained sight thanks to the MAF flight that transported eye surgeons to her region. One life-changing operation has turned a retirement home into a celebratory home.
Story by Annet Nabbanja
“The pleasure of the world is to see. If you do not see, you have no pleasure,” says 75-year-old Rozalia Masanja Mayunga.
For two and a half years, Rozalia lived with blindness that robbed her of all independence and joy. But last year, MAF flew Tanzanian eye surgeon, Dr Erick Msigomba and his team from Njombe to Rozalia’s home region of Tabora. There the team performed surgery that not only restored Rozalia’s eyesight, but also blessed 60 others with their sight and independence once more.
Rozalia and her granddaughter, Cecilia Sylvanus Tanganyika, live in a simple house of only two rooms: a living room and a bedroom with a curtain dividing them. Outside in a small courtyard, maize is drying on a sack. It’ll be used for making flour for ugali (maize meal).
In front their house, a sunflower shamba (farm) stretches into the distance, surrounded by shambas of maize and tobacco.
Here Rozalia and Cecilia remember their former days of suffering. Today, they are living a happier and more fulfilling life.
“I see now,” says Rozalia. “It’s the pleasure of my heart. Life has changed. I go up to wherever and wherever.”
“There is a lot of change we have seen,” says Cecilia. “Now she has the ability to do her activities herself. There is no need to hold her or take her somewhere. She goes by herself without problem, and she sees very well.”
Cecilia now spends her days working in the shamba, earning a living.
“Rozalia’s healing has a big meaning,” she says. “It gives me time to go and do my other activities, not just to stay and take care of her needs.”
When you restore someone’s sight, you do more than help them see. Restoring sight is giving someone independence.
Rozalia has become a living testimony that blindness does not always have to be permanent.
Martha Mollela lives in Rozalia’s neighbourhood. She’s experiencing a lot of pain in her eyes and sees with difficulty. Her husband is completely blind.
Rozalia tells Martha of how easy surgery is. She is convinced to go with her husband for treatment when the doctors come back to Kaliua.
MAF pilot Peter Griffin describes Dr Msigomba as a man who could have retired and lived a very comfortable life but instead travels around Tanzania serving people.
He is grateful that because of MAF, the journey was made possible.
“Being part of helping people reach a place they would never have otherwise reached is such a rewarding experience. It’s not something you can even put into words – you have to witness it,” Peter says.
“That is a testimony to how much God loves His people.”
People like Rozalia make Dr Erick proud of his work. When he does surgery, he not only restores sight but also independence.
The ripple effects of just one surgery are huge, freeing caretakers as well as those who were blind. If carers were students, they become free to go back to school. Otherwise, they can return to work and support themselves and contribute to their families’ livelihood.
“I feel happy and proud,” says Dr Erick. “When you restore someone’s sight, you do more than help them see. Restoring sight is giving someone independence.”
To Rozalia, the regaining of her sight and independence is evidence of much more than human compassion.
“God still loves me,” she says.