Thierry, a lively 5-year-old from Ngozi, once ran under the sun, playing with the vibrancy of childhood. But the bilateral cataract draped his world in darkness, confining him to shadows. Living in an area with scarce medical resources and poverty, his parents feared they would watch their son’s world dim forever.

Their shimmering hope arrived with CTSOE. Partnering with prominent institutions like CHUK and CDO, CTSOE restored Thierry’s vision. As his eyes adjusted post-surgery, colours bloomed before him, and the smile that lit up his face mirrored the joy in his parents’ hearts. All of this, a gift from CTSOE, became Thierry’s second chance at childhood.