A Pair of Eyes, A Lifetime Transformed
How a free surgery in Togo gave a young boy hope—and how your support made it possible
On my recent trip to Togo, Africa, I met a young boy who changed me.
He was only five years old and living with a condition that many people take for granted, walled eyes, medically known as strabismus. But in his village, this wasn’t just seen as a health condition. It carried a heavy and heartbreaking stigma.
In parts of Africa, children with misaligned eyes are often believed to be “possessed by a demon.” Because of this, they are treated as outcasts. They grow up isolated, with few friends, little support, and very few opportunities. Many struggle to find work later in life, and even marriage becomes unlikely due to the social rejection tied to their appearance.
But thanks to this mission trip—and your support—that young boy’s story took a beautiful turn.
A Simple Surgery, A Profound Transformation
With the help of a dedicated local team and by the grace of this mission, I was able to perform a free corrective eye surgery to realign the boy’s eyes. The procedure itself was routine, but the impact was anything but.
The next day, I gently removed his bandage.
And there he was… with a pair of perfectly aligned, beautiful eyes.
His entire face lit up. He looked straight at me for the first time, and I could see the difference immediately—not just in his appearance, but in his presence. That small shift in gaze made him look incredibly handsome and full of potential. A single surgery gave him the confidence and the chance he’d never had before.
His smile was quiet, proud, and unforgettable.
He was happy.
His parents were overjoyed.
And I—well, I was humbled beyond words.
Why This Moment Meant So Much
When I perform cataract surgeries on older adults, I know I’m doing something valuable—helping a farmer return to work and feed his family, or allowing a grandmother to once again see and care for her grandchildren.
But helping a child like this boy…
That’s something else entirely. That’s not just about restoring sight for today—it's about shaping a life for the next 70 or 80 years.
It’s giving someone a new trajectory.
As I stood there, watching him and his family, I felt tears welling up. I was overwhelmed by the privilege of doing this work and deeply grateful that I have the skills—and the support—to bring healing to those who need it most.
🙏 Thank You, My Subscribers
This is where you come in.
This mission trip, and the life-changing surgery for this boy, were made possible by the revenue from this very newsletter. If you are a subscriber, please know: your support helped fund this trip.
You helped restore sight.
You helped restore dignity.
You helped change a young boy’s life forever.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of this work. You’re not just reading about vision—you’re actively bringing it back to those who need it most.
💛 Join Us in Supporting Future Missions
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Your subscription directly supports future medical missions—bringing free eye care, surgeries, and healing to underserved communities around the world.
Together, we can continue to bring light to those who’ve lived in darkness for too long.
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With heartfelt gratitude,
Dr. Edward Kondrot
Humanitarian Ophthalmologist
You are welcome any time. Always grateful people in need of cataract surgeries! There are other cities around Tepic that would be happy to help set up a clinic.
Dr Kondrot, YOU are a wonderful testimony of God's faithful servant making a difference in the world with your amazing skills! Abundant blessings as you provide 'light to the world' to people suffering from eye diseases!!