Helping make miracles happen

Every restored life begins with hope

Gepeso's story is one of many that will be shared during Miracles Day – a reminder that sight-saving eye care can restore independence, dignity, and hope for people with avoidable blindness.

One ordinary Saturday morning, everything changed for Gepeso.

The grandmother from a remote village in Papua New Guinea was leaving for church when she suddenly realised she could no longer see the road before her. A young boy gently took her hand and guided her safely to church, marking the beginning of a frightening new reality.

Within weeks, cataracts had stolen her independence.

“I could not cook on my own,” Gepeso recalls. “I could not go to the garden. I could not go to the toilet on my own.”

For someone who had spent a lifetime caring for others, relying on her family for even the simplest tasks was heartbreaking. Her once-thriving garden became overgrown as she remained inside, unable to tend it.

Living in a remote community meant specialist eye care was far away, but through cbm's local partner, Gepeso was finally able to travel to Goroka Eye Hospital for sight-saving cataract surgery.

Just 12 minutes later, everything changed.

“My eyes are now open,” she said with joy. “Before, I was in the dark, and after the eye operation, I can see clearly.”

With her sight restored came something equally precious – her independence.

“Now I can help myself. I can go to the toilet myself. I can go to the garden, and market, and do everything by myself.”

Today, Gepeso is once again caring for herself, tending her garden, and enjoying the freedom that restored sight has brought. Her story is a powerful reminder that access to quality eye care can transform lives – restoring not only vision, but dignity, independence and hope.