Papua New Guinea – June 2009

 We found her at the street market on the main road, 15 kms from the town of Goroka.

 She was selling kau kau (sweet potato) with the other women from the village she has known for a lifetime. Her name is Bamona. Her smile told the story better than words and pictures. She was so happy to be back at work. For 13 years Bamona existed in complete darkness. Her blindness confined her to a small hut in the village. 

Her children had to cook for her as she constantly burned her hands in the fire. Every day they would guide her to the toilet but in fear and depression she remained in the security of her home.

A CBM medical team member heard of her plight in 2008 and immediately Bamona was admitted for surgery at the Goroka Hospital where
CBM carried out 2,917 cataract surgeries in that year.

Meeting Bamona this week, was like meeting a modern day miracle. Her joy overflowed with appreciation for the doctors and nurses who serve with CBM.

She never thought she would see her family, her village and the majestic blue green mountains of the PNG Highlands again. To work in her gardens and sell food at the markets has transformed her life from despair to pure joy.
Steve Grace

Pictured:  The joy of renewed vision. Bamona is a beautiful testimony of the work of CBM in Papua New Guinea

[nggallery id=3]