A team of four volunteers from Moorfields Eye Hospital was part of eye care charity Orbis’s first ever project in Rwanda.
As well as operating on children with a range of eye conditions, including strabismus (lazy eye), they focussed on educating local clinicians and nurses so they could continue to provide the same level of care when the team had left.
The programme involved Orbis’s ‘Flying Eye’, a plane equipped with an operating theatre, recovery room and training facility, and drew patients (and clinicians) from across the country to the capital Kigali. The Moorfields participants joined for the second week of this, after a week of simulation training.
Moon and Francoise’s story
Two year old Moon’s strabismus began to show around the time she started to walk. Her grandmother, Francoise, wanted to get help for her before she became aware that she had an issue.
Francoise knew all about this, as she had lived with the condition for her whole life it shaped her self-image, even though it did not affect her vision. She remembered being called “the one with the eye problem” at school.
Though she put her granddaughter first, making sure she had the operation, she “had always wished to get [her own eyes] corrected”, and said to herself “let me also grab this chance to get treatment.”
Speaking about Moon’s surgery, she said: “Her left eye was going out, but now I see it has started to be straight. She will grow up happy, fine, confident; she won’t feel isolated because of her condition.”
About her operation, she said: “I will go back with hope. I see there is a big difference. I can do everything with happiness, I can enjoy my life.”
Prince’s story
6-year-old Prince is one of ten siblings, and she was accompanied by her older sister for the surgery to correct her strabismus. She had struggled with her vision, her eyes drifting when reading, which made schoolwork difficult. She was also teased by her peers.
Fidelia was worried because it took her some time to wake from the surgery, but was relieved and happy when she saw the change in Prince’s eyes. Watching her sister’s struggle with strabismus had been difficult for her but, full of joy, she said: “What I hope for my sister is to study, maybe become a doctor and have a good career. I am so thankful to Orbis, and to you, for volunteering your time and effort for us.”
Lucy’s story
Lucy Barker, service director for paediatric ophthalmology at Moorfields, had spent four years in Rwanda early in her career.
“Rwanda was amazing. It was so great to be back with such a fantastic educational programme. The local team were really enthusiastic and the Flying Eye Hospital plane is such an incredible resource.
“We started the week screening 20-30 patients each on Monday. Ten were selected for strabismus surgery, others for oculoplastic or cataract surgery and the rest received plans and advice. Tuesday and Wednesday was surgery on the Flying Hospital, with all procedures live streamed to a lecture theatre full of young doctors, who asked questions during the surgery. This was also broadcast on local TV, as was the second patient (where a local surgeon carried out parts of the operation). I was assigned two local doctors for hands-on surgical training who, by the end of the trip, were completing cases with minimal support from me. Between cases, I gave lectures to the doctors, to maximise the use of the short time we had in Kigali.
“Manish, Nadine and I were in Kibagabaga Hospital for the rest of the week, with more strabismus patients, including Moon and Francoise. Here we had a larger audience for our training, being joined by resident doctors, nurses, anaesthetic technicians and support staff. Specific, focused training was provided to each group so the whole process can be replicated locally going forward”.
Manish’s story
Manish Raval, consultant anaesthetist and a veteran of ten Orbis trips. He supported a total of three surgeons, two anaesthetic doctors and four anaesthetic technicians, as well as training them in new techniques.
“Rwanda was vibrant, colourful, incredibly hilly and so, so tidy. We had really tasty food - the best avocados & bbq tilapia, great beer, gorillas and lots of Arsenal supporters.
“Each of the local surgeons could recall four or five people who had passed away as a result of anaesthetic complications. While we are not familiar with this in the UK, it’s a reminder that the consequences of poor technique can be death.
“Their healthcare felt at a slightly better level than many low-resource countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the anaesthetic technicians with whom I worked felt significantly more engaged than I expected. They were eager to try alternative techniques and keen to discuss complex situations.”
Princess’s story
Theatre co-ordinator Princess (Angeline) Chaipaa, also on her first visit, was also charmed by Rwanda.
“It is a land of contrasts, with breathtaking landscape, vibrant sights and sounds, immaculate streets, full of colour, with people going about their daily business. Rwanda exceeded my expectations!
“The healthcare system in Rwanda is a bit stretched but very resourceful. The nurses were incredibly hands on and there was a strong sense of teamwork. From them, I learnt resilience and adaptability and a way of approaching problems without leaning on technology as much as we do in the UK. I taught them recovery nursing areas such as pain assessment, airway management, National Early Warning Score (NEWS 2) and structured handover, Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation (SBAR). It was humbling working with the Rwandan nurses because they were so keen to learn and immediately applied the skills.
“A 4-year-old boy, who had bilateral squint surgery done by Lucy, woke up very frightened and screaming in recovery, even though his father was around. The language barrier did not stop me from communicating with him, as I held his hand to reassure him. Lucy came in afterwards, and together we comforted him and calmed his father, who was also very anxious. That moment reminded me why we were there, that it wasn’t just about surgery but about compassion, dignity and human connection. The young boy settled after being given a teddy bear which had eye shields on both eyes as if it had surgery like him.
I thought I was going to give more than I received, but it was the opposite. The experience reshaped my view of global healthcare. It made me realise how much we can share with each other as professionals, not in one way teaching but as mutual learning.
“When the boy was crying, I tried to sing for him, but the Rwandan recovery nurses and medical students jokingly told me not to give up my day job. These lighter moments broke down barriers and built friendship and rapport. I thought I was going to give more than I received, but it was the opposite. The experience reshaped my view of global healthcare. It made me realise how much we can share with each other as professionals, not in one way teaching but as mutual learning.
“Visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial was one of the most sobering experiences of my time in Rwanda. There are photographs of victims, children and adults, and graves where thousands are laid to rest. Outside the Memorial, life in Kigali is vibrant, full of hope and unity. Rwanda is a country that has worked hard to rebuild itself on principles of reconciliation and resilience. For me, the visit was more than just history. It was a lesson in humanity, and it reminded me of the importance of compassion and respect for every life.”
Nadine’s story
Nadine Grant-McKenzie, a lead infection control nurse, has volunteered with Orbis since 2017.
“Each programme had amazing engagement and outcomes, so I was not expecting anything less from Rwanda. The first thing that hit me when I landed was the wonderful landscape of the country, then the cleanliness of the streets – no litter to be seen, no water bottles, plastic bags or juice boxes on the pavement – this was very impressive!
“I led the medical retina screening service, the coordination and the overall flow of the clinic, with the help of an amazing sister called Felicity. For the remainder of week, I was a recovery nurse at the local hospital, where my main role was to deliver post-general anaesthesia care and teaching. Each day I would have 2-3 hand on trainees (nurses), teaching and demonstrating safe care – essential, as the hospital has no designated recovery nurses. This was incredibly rewarding, and their openness to learning and their resourcefulness in often challenging circumstances inspired me greatly.
“I was struck by the warmth and generosity of the Rwandan people. Their culture is rich with tradition, community, and resilience, which made me feel welcomed and connected. One of the most powerful parts of my trip was visiting the Genocide Memorial. Standing there, I was humbled by the stories of loss but also by the incredible strength and spirit of reconciliation that continues to shape the country today”.
All images courtesy of Orbis.
18 December 2025