Joyce Chikwama, a six-year-old girl from Kayumweyumwe, Mumbwa, Zambia, was born with a growth in her right eye that gradually became worse over the years. When her mother first took her to get the growth assessed, she was incorrectly advised to put breast milk in her eyes to get rid of it. Since that did not work, the growth expanded to a point where it almost reached her pupil and affected her vision. When she was old enough to communicate, she started to ask what was in her eye and would often complain about pain. Soon, she was frequently in pain and found it difficult to write and play.
If not for this partnership, we would not have managed to get Joyce the treatment she needed on our own. They assisted us with everything, transport money and medical fees. I am very grateful.
Due to financial constraints, Joyce’s parents, like many others in Kayumweyumwe, struggled to afford treatment for their children. Fortunately, through partnership efforts with Lions Aid Zambia, Latter-day Saint Charities and Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), Joyce was referred to the University Teaching Hospital for care. This innovative partnership enables daily clinics, radio programming focused on eye health, awareness campaigns for eye health services, referrals for care and treatment options.
“Visual impairment can have a devastating impact on the well-being of those directly and indirectly affected. This project is strengthening eye health systems thereby providing eyecare services for adults and children through outreach and static facilities. Joyce and many others now have access to specialized pediatric eye services, hence preserving their sight and giving them an opportunity to excel,” says Nicholas Mutale, executive director of Lions Aid Zambia.
Joyce was diagnosed with an epidermal cyst and successfully underwent treatment and excision surgery. Her mother, Linet Chikwama, says, “If not for this partnership, we would not have managed to get Joyce the treatment she needed on our own. They assisted us with everything, transport money and medical fees. I am very grateful.”
Since the procedure, Joyce is living a cheerful life as a six-year-old. She is able to enjoy her favorite activities like playing house, drawing and writing without any suffering. “It makes me very happy to see her play all day with her friends freely and not experience any pain and discomfort,” Linet says.
The community has also benefited from Lions' services, with the establishment of a school and clinic in Kayumweyumwe. Her mother is very excited about the fact that Joyce can finally enroll in school and says, “She has such a bright future ahead of her. Now that she is no longer experiencing challenges due to the growth, she can finally start going to the Kayumweyumwe Primary School. I can’t wait to see what life has in store for her.”
Reflecting on Lions long-standing mission to preserve sight, Past International Director Dr. Hastings Eli Chiti says, “In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to become ‘knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.’ Nearly 100 years later, Lions continue to support sight-preserving interventions. This project, made possible by our partners, Latter-day Saint Charities, Lions Aid Zambia and LCIF, is a testament to our commitment as Lions to uphold the challenge and magnify our motto: ‘We Serve.’”
Shelby Washington is the content specialist at Lions Clubs International Foundation.
