Orbis International

In the heart of Gurage, Ethiopia, Fikir, 28, a dedicated biology teacher and loving mother of two boys, shares her journey battling the devastating effects of trachoma. Trachoma, an easily preventable bacterial eye infection, remains a significant cause of blindness in rural Ethiopia. Fikir’s experience with trachoma began at a young age, but it wasn’t until university that a friend noticed she had trachomatous trichiasis (TT), a condition where eyelashes turn inward as a result of repeat trachoma infections, causing excruciating pain and, if untreated, irreversible vision loss or blindness. Fikir’s story is one of resilience and hope as she underwent surgery for her TT at the Worsherbe Health Center, thanks to the intervention of Orbis-trained health workers. Reflecting on her journey, Fikir shares poignant insights into the challenges she faced and her determination to overcome them. “I have had repeated infections from trachoma since I was very young,” Fikir...