Meet Faruk: A Boy Whose Dreams to Attend School Have Come True

Bahiredin, Faruk’s father, worried about his son's future. “I want him to have a bright future and a successful journey at school when he starts,” he said, his heart heavy with concern.

Faruk’s parents noticed something wasn’t quite right with his left eye just a week after birth. After a visit to a private clinic, they were advised to go to a tertiary hospital for further treatment. But friends and family urged them to avoid surgery, afraid that it could blindness. “We didn’t give Faruk’s eye condition the attention it deserves because we thought it wouldn’t be something that could be fixed,” Bahiredin reflected.

As time passed, the family were unsure of where to turn for help. Then, one day whilst scrolling through Facebook, Bahiredin came saw a post about a training for eye care workers, conducted by Orbis. Intrigued, he reached out to the project coordinators, who helped arrange for Faruk to be screened.

At three years old, Faruk was diagnosed with Monocular Exotropia (a form of Strabismus) at the Hawassa University Referral Hospital Tertiary Eye Care Unit. The condition that causes a misalignment of the eyes.

Strabismus is a common condition that causes the eyes to look in different directions when focusing. It can present early in childhood but can also develop later. If not caught and treated early, strabismus can seriously affect vision and even potentially lead to blindness. Earlier treatment often leads to better outcomes, especially for children.

Despite their worries about what they heard from their friends and family, Bahiredin and his wife decided to opt for the surgery that Orbis had offered. Within days of surgery on Faruk’s left eye, his alignment showed remarkable improvement. Bahiredin shared “My family and I are overjoyed with the results of his surgery. Our neighbours and relatives have been coming over to congratulate us on Faruk’s eye advancement.”

In the aftermath of the surgery, Bahiredin had many people approaching him, who were brimming with happiness and curiosity about where Faruk had received his treatment. “This shows that we also need education on this matter. I’m glad I didn’t listen to people’s advice,” he said.

Now, Faruk is thriving and finally able to attend school, a dream that once felt impossible. His journey from hiding under his father's coat to stepping confidently into a classroom is a testament to how access to eyecare, can let children thrive everywhere.

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