Restoring Vision and Livelihoods in Peru
Several years ago, Juan Isaac Zapata Ruiz, a taxi driver from the Barrios Altos community in Lima, developed cataracts in both of his eyes. As the disease progressed, he was forced to significantly reduce his hours of work, and the resulting loss in income made it difficult for him to support his family. Last summer, Mr. Zapata learned about CGSGI’s cataract surgeries program and in September 2010, at 60 years old, he underwent surgery. Today, with his vision restored, Mr. Zapata is able to work full-time and even works the night shift some days — representing an income increase of about 60 percent, as night rates in Lima are paid higher than regular working hours. By providing people like Mr. Zapata with this simple, life-changing procedure, CGSGI has helped to provide new economic opportunity to more than 16,000 Peruvians and plans to reach 50,000 people by 2013.