A decade ago, Paul Kinyera Okumu was engrossed in his career as a teacher. Suddenly, he got an infection in his left eye. Despite several consultations with eye specialists; he was not given a definitive diagnosis. The infection spread to his right eye, and he gradually became visually impaired.
Paul only sees blurry vision at a distance of two meters. He is unable to read.
His poor sight greatly affected his career as a teacher at Atanga Secondary School in Pader district, northern Uganda.
“Since I cannot read, I had to keep asking fellow teachers to mark assignments, exams and assess my students, so I became a burden to them. Enforcing discipline of students became impossible because they knew I could not recognize and administer punishment to them.”
Paul continues to experience hardship in his day-to-day life.
“The phone has become a necessity. But each time I want to use it, I have to borrow someone’s eyes.”
Paul’s social life has also been affected because he cannot recognize people he once knew, and unintentionally passes by without saying hello.
“Many accuse me that I have become proud and anti-social. Those I was once friends with, and know how my problem started have abandoned me. They don’t call me as they used to. I have become lonely.”
Because of the hardship at work, Paul left his job six months ago when he heard about Oysters & Pearls-Uganda.
“Oysters & Pearls-Uganda is giving me free training in computer use. I don’t know where I would have gotten the money to train with my meager salary and eight children to take care of.”
After his training by Oysters & Pearls- Uganda, Paul wants to enroll in a special needs program, so that he becomes a teacher for students with special needs.
“Because of the training, I feel one step closer to normal”.
Paul is one out of more than ten professionals aided by Oysters & Pearls-Uganda, to change career after sudden loss of sight.
By Caroline Ayugi
