Last year, the Cobram-Barooga community contributed more than $2500 to the Fred Hollows Foundation, which paid for the surgery to give Shanice, 2, from Kenya, a future where she could see her world.
Founding director Gabi Hollows thanked the people of Cobram-Barooga and said her late husband would be amazed by their compassion and kindness to help fight the ongoing battle against avoidable blindness.
‘‘Without the support of people from your towns, the foundation couldn’t have helped so many people like Shanice last year,’’ she said.
‘‘Our generous donors are at the heart of our Fred Hollows Foundation family and they help us transform the lives of those living with avoidable blindness.
‘‘I am so grateful to everyone who has supported our work ... once again I extend my thanks to everyone in Cobram-Barooga ...’’
Born in rural Kenya with cataracts in both eyes, Shanice faced a lifetime of blindness.
When she was born, Shanice’s parents, Milly and William, knew something was wrong.
They tried to play with their baby and make her laugh, but they wondered if Shanice could even recognise them.
Earning less than $3 a day, Milly and William were left anxious and confused after being told by a local doctor that this would go away.
By the time she was nine months old, living at risk of permanent blindness, Milly was determined to find someone who could help.
They were saved when a doctor said there were people who could help — The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Because of the tenacity of her loving parents, the skill of a surgeon trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation, and the people of Cobram-Barooga who helped provide the resources to reach her, Shanice’s story has a happy ending.
Now Shanice can see her family and she has the best gift of all: a bright future.
●For information about The Fred Hollows Foundation, go to www.hollows.org or phone 1800 352 352.
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