A Pankaj Partnership and The Kimanjo Eye Clinic - A Feel Good Christmas Story!
Seasons Greetings from Laikipia!
With Christmas upon us, we’re delighted to share a heartwarming story befitting the holiday season. Over four days this past weekend, Karisia Walking Safaris and Tumaren Camp proudly hosted 22 doctors conducting an eye clinic for the Team Pankaj Foundation (Pankaj pictured above helps us significantly in the area and specifically with our Meal program with the local schools - He has also recently been awarded the prestigious award of The Chief of the Order of the Buring Spear).
The results of the clinic were deeply moving, making this one of the most impactful experiences we’ve ever been part of. It was an honor to contribute to such a meaningful and uplifting outreach and to see hundreds of people get some good care for their eye issues.
At the clinic, we met Mamusi (above), a relative of one of our head rangers, Keshine. Before having her bandage removed she appeared forlorn and worried. Surgery on eyes is a frightening thing for all of us but it would be especially scary for people who have never had good medical care in their communities. Will it work or will my eyesight get even worse? These must have been the concerns for Mamusi and many of the other patients who came to the clinic.
And yet, as soon as Mamusi's bandage came off, her face lit up and her smile told everyone that the surgery had been a success. Cataract surgery is the most effective solution for preventing avoidable blindness and like for the majority of patients who came to the clinic, Mamusi's vision had been saved by a procedure that would normally cost many thousands of dollars.
10 days after the Surgury, Keshine, Parm and Meg went to check on Mamusi to see how she was doing. This is what she said. (Cool Sun Glasses also supplied by Team Pankaj!)
Mamusi and all the patients were overwhelmed with gratitude for the Pankaj Foundation and for the doctors who had helped them and treated them with such kindness and dignity.
James Christian