“The sun has become my enemy.”
At just 14, Abdiwali shines shoes on the streets of Mogadishu to survive. His mother passed away when he was ten. His father, a farmer, remains in their small hometown.
Abdiwali had been suffering from severe Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), a painful allergic eye condition that made sunlight unbearable. When Abdiwali heard about the newly opened Himilo Eye Trust Center, he walked in—full of hope and pain.
“The sun has become my enemy,” he told the Eye Trust Center team. He had called six relatives to help him reach the center, but could only gather $2 for his care.
But thanks to the generosity of donors, Abdiwali received free treatment through a grant from Optometry Giving Sight. And, today, he sees the world with much less pain—and much more possibility.
His story is just one among thousands that donors like you have helped shape. Generous support from donors has enabled us to fund more than 200 grants in more than 70 countries. Together, we have impacted over 15 million people of all ages.
In addition to meeting the immediate need for free eye exams and eyeglasses, we are building a sustainable future where quality eye care is accessible to all so that the individuals we help today can get the care they need tomorrow and beyond.
As the year draws to a close, we invite you to reflect on the impact your generosity can make in the lives still waiting to be transformed.
Your year-end gift can help us reach more children like Abdiwali, train more eye care professionals, and expand access to vision care where it’s needed most.
Thank you for giving sight, hope, and opportunity.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Donna J. Mikulecky
Executive Director
Optometry Giving Sight