Christian’s Crystal Clear Future

More than anything, nine-year-old Christian wanted to play football and learn to read.  Now he can do both, thanks to free cataract surgery onboard the Mercy Ship.

Christian lives in Togo and is nine years old; but he is not like other children his age.

They can read. He cannot.
They can play football. He cannot.
They can see… he cannot.

Christian has cataracts. His father, Adado noticed Christian’s problem when he was three.

Christian attended school for one year but couldn't see the chalkboard.  His father knows it is important that he attend school. Adado says, “He struggles to learn things and he is slow, but I want him to be around other children his age. I don't want him to miss out on an education. ”

Adado tried to find out what the problem was, but found no one who could help his son.  He became very discouraged.

Then, a light shone through the darkness. A man who lived near Adado and Christian told them about a surgery he had received for free on the Mercy Ship in Lomé.  

"Free surgery?” Adado thought. “Could this be true?”

Adado and Christian went to the patient screening site where an eye specialist referred them to the Mercy Ships Hospitality Center and a complete examination. They confirmed that Christian had cataracts in both eyes … and that he could undergo a free surgery!

When given the bright yellow appointment card with a surgery date, Adado said, “I couldn't believe it. For so long we tried to find help for Christian. I didn't work for days on end while trying to find an answer. Now, he will get help. I am so thankful.”

Dr. Glenn Strauss is an expert on African cataracts and has been working with Mercy Ships for 13 years. He says cataracts in West Africa can be very dense due to the intense sunlight and the lack of adequate eye care. His team onboard the Africa Mercy performs an average of 20 surgeries per day.

Only one day after Strauss' team performed surgery, Christian felt great. He colored a picture with his father and played with other kids in the ward. Adado asked, “Christian, can you see? What is the nurse wearing?”

Christian looked up at Mercy Ships charge nurse, Ali, and said, “Yes. I can see. She has a blue band on her head and a blue top.”  Adado beamed.  

Now Christian can start school again in the fall. He will learn how to read and will be able to see the chalkboard. Until then, he is busy getting acquainted with a football!

Thanks to Mercy Ships, Christian's future is crystal clear!