When the Africa Mercy returned to Madagascar for a second
field service, the communications team had the opportunity to visit with
patients from the previous year and witness how a free life-changing
and sometimes life-saving surgery had impacted the poorest of the poor.
Mercy Ships eye team offered over 300 eye surgeries in Madagascar,
mostly cataracts surgeries. Stories of sight being returned after years
of blindness were humbling to hear, but possibly the most touching of
all stories was William’s – a 29-year-old father and husband, who longed
to see and restore his home and family.
On a visit to find William, the communications team rounded the
corner to where William’s house previously stood and they could not
believe their eyes.
William’s home was gone!
©2015
Mercy Ships – Photo Credit Katie Keegan
They stared in disbelief at the space that previously held William’s
home – only a plot of dirt remained. Unsure what to do, the team began
discussing an alternate plan, but the conversation was interrupted by a
gentleman calling out to them. They turned around and found a
brilliantly smiling William standing in front of a much sturdier
structure than they remembered just nine months earlier.
William’s previous home was built on dirt, allowing it to flood
inside the home during the rain storms prevalent in this region of
Madagascar. However, his new home situated itself approximately 45
centimeters (18 inches) off the ground on a concrete floor. In place of a
flat roof filled with holes was a sturdy angled roof where water did
not penetrate. In short, this was a much better home for William and his
wife, Elisa and their now six-year-old son Unida.
©2015
Mercy Ships – Photo Credit Katie Keegan
William welcomed the team and eagerly began sharing how his family’s life had changed in the last nine months.
“I have a better life, a life of happiness because when a man doesn’t
work; the family always has a weakness. Working makes a difference!”
No longer limited by his cataracts, William made rebuilding their
home his top priority. He shares that when he laid eyes on his home
after his surgery he was shocked at what he found.
“I saw that it was really in bad condition! I said this is my first priority!”
©2015
Mercy Ships – Photo Credit Katie Keegan
William saw the rain pouring into his home, the holes in the roof and
in the walls and knew he had to do something. A friend gave him a
donation to get started and with the help of his brother-in-law, William
built a suitable home for his family right next to the old one.
William’s second priority was to find work. Although he once held a
driver’s license it had been many years since it had lapsed due to
William’s cataracts. With his new eyes, William renewed his driving
permit and is steadily employed as a pousse-pousse driver (a Malagasy
bicycle driver). He says he would ultimately like to find work as a car
chauffeur but is happy to contribute to his family.
©2015
Mercy Ships – Photo Credit Katie Keegan
“I feel so good and that’s my goal for our life, because, nowadays,
in a family, if only the woman is working, it doesn’t work. It’s the
same if it’s just the man. The best thing to do is to work together.”
William’s surgery not only freed William from his burden but it also
restored Unida and Elisa to their preferred roles in the home. Unida,
who was often kept at home with his father, was able to return to school
with the rest of his classmates. No longer does he have the burden of
being his father’s eyes. And Elisa no longer has to carry the weight of
being the sole income provider of the home.
©2015
Mercy Ships – Photo Credit Katie Keegan
Although it has been a long journey to rebuild his life, William and
his family now have a hope for their future they did not have nine
months earlier. William shared this message of gratitude with donors
that made his surgery possible, “Because of your help, now I can see,
I’m working and my son is studying. Thank you very much!”
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