“Why us?” This was the question that often echoed in the family of Jean Paul Ntwali, where eight members were living with eye disease named Glaucoma.

Jean Paul Ntwali was born with malformed eyes, a condition known as congenital malformation. but lacked the means to seek treatment. When he became a father, his first child was born with the same condition. His second child, too, was affected, followed by the third.

Ntwali never gave up hope. He kept trying, wishing that at least one of his children would be born without the condition, but fate had other plans. All seven of his children were born with eye problems.

The family was suffering from glaucoma, a condition characterized by increased pressure in the eye that can lead to blindness. This condition was passed down from Ntwali to his children.

Speaking to ICK News, Ntwali explained that his lifelong eye condition gradually worsened because he couldn’t afford treatment. Over the years, his vision deteriorated completely.

But life took a surprising turn. Through a collaboration between Kabgayi Eye Unit, the “See You” Foundation, and the Rwandan Organization of Women with Disabilities (UNABU), Ntwali and his family were offered specialized treatment to restore their sight.

On July 15, 2025, a date the Ntwali family will never forget, they received comprehensive and free eye care. It gave them new hope, not just for clear vision but for a better future.

After receiving treatment, Ntwali shared his emotions, “When we learned we were coming to this hospital, we were overwhelmed with joy. I can’t even express it fully,” he said adding, “For years, I had one prayer to God: that I might one day open my eyes and see the world again as I once did. I was ready to give up everything for that.”

Life had not been easy for the family, especially for Ntwali’s wife, Anne Marie Uwimana, who had to care for eight visually impaired family members.

Uwimana said she was astonished by what happened: “I felt so happy. It was truly a miracle,” she said.

She expressed deep gratitude to the staff at Kabgayi Eye Unit, “From the first day we arrived, we saw dedication, hard work, and kindness here.”

“We came here not knowing where to start, but I was impressed by how everyone guided us, showed us the way, and even helped us with things we didn’t know we needed.”

Dr. Theophile Tuyisabe, Director of Kabgayi Eye Hospital, confirmed that the partnership between the hospital, See You, and UNABU made it possible to restore hope to this eight-member family.

“One of our partners informed us about a family struggling with severe vision problems and lacking financial means. We immediately discussed how to bring them here for diagnosis and treatment,” Dr. Tuyisabe said.

Upon examination, doctors discovered the family, from Rwanda’s Eastern Province, had been dealing with hereditary eye problems for many years.

“We found that the children inherited the condition from their father, who was already blind,” Dr. Tuyisabe explained.

He added that they were born with malformed eyes, a condition known as congenital malformation. Specifically, the iris, which controls the amount of light entering the eye, was underdeveloped, and their lenses were not positioned correctly.

“These issues not only affect sight but can also lead to complete blindness due to increased eye pressure—what is known as glaucoma,” he said.

Some family members had already suffered significant damage, requiring surgical intervention, while for the younger ones, doctors opted for close follow-up care rather than immediate surgery.

Besides medical treatment, the hospital also educated the family about their responsibility to attend all follow-up appointments.

Dr. Tuyisabe urged the public to seek early screening if any hereditary conditions are suspected within their family:

“If someone in your family has an illness, you should check if it might be hereditary. You can’t assume—it’s important to see a doctor and get proper information.”

After receiving treatment, the Ntwali family was discharged with follow-up appointments scheduled at Kabgayi Eye Hospital to ensure their recovery progresses well.

With over 30 years of experience, Kabgayi Eye Hospital is known for providing free eye care services in partnership with organizations like See You, helping countless Rwandans regain their sight without financial burden.