Zohara’s story: 12 year old Zohara lives in a mud hut in village Tando Allahyar, Sindh, with her two young brothers and ageing father. There is no electricity or gas in the two-room hut. Zohara doesn’t go to school and, unlike other children, she has to take care of the household.
She lost her mother last year to a fatal illness. Her father, Ibrahim, a farm labourer, is heavily in debt to the landlord, for loans taken for his treating his wife’s illness. Now Zohara helps him to look after his two young sons, one of whom has learning disabilities.
Early this year, while collecting firewood, Zohara injured her right eye. The local hakeem gave her traditional medicines but the eye got more sore and red and the pain wouldn’t stop. Ibrahim just couldn’t afford to take her to a doctor in town. After several months, Zoahra’s eye developed a traumatic cataract and she became blind in one eye.
Ibrahim tried various sources for loans but no one would give him any more money. In desperation he begged the landlord for funds and the landlord suggested he try our LRBT hospital in Rashidabad which gives free treatment to the poor.
From then on it has been all good news for Zohara and her family. Her sight has been restored and now she wants to devote her time bringing up her brothers.
“I didn’t know I was so strong until I was tested,” said Zohara. “My aim in life is to raise my brothers the way my mother wanted. I will help my father in every way to make my youngest brother educated and independent so that he has a better life than we are living today. I thank all who helped to restore my sight and we will always pray for blessings for them.”