Once upon a
time in Malawi
Few people are as passionate about their jobs as Rex and George.
As they stride towards today’s eye screening camp, whispers of quiet conversation can be heard. The group is larger than expected and people have travelled from far and wide to be here today.
It’s known by all that Rex and George are the people who can treat diseases and eye conditions previously thought untreatable.
The work of these two men is part of a project run by Sightsavers to protect the sight of thousands of people in Malawi. But this work wouldn’t be possible without the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped to fund Sightsavers projects in 14 countries
For the past three years, this funding has helped to support Rex and George on their mission to restore sight in southern Malawi.
Often called the ‘warm heart of Africa’, Malawi is known for its stunning and varied landscapes but renowned for the warmth and kindness of its people.
Since 2019, eye screening camps have been held across seven districts in the south of the country.
During today’s camp, Rex and George will examine people’s eyes, provide medicine for minor conditions and refer those with cataracts for sight-restoring surgery.
Chikwawa
Nestled between the Blantyre mountains and the Mozambique border, Chikwawa's plains are Rex and George's office.
The Shire River, known for its resident hippos, meanders through the countryside. On either side of the river, a lush green landscape with leafy sugarcane stretches all the way to the mountains.
Between the fields and river, a patchwork of settlements and farms is home to around 350,000 people. Away from the industrious sugarcane farming, families rely on these smallholdings for their food and livelihoods.
Since 2019, eye screening camps have been held across seven districts in the south of the country.
During today’s camp, Rex and George will examine people’s eyes, provide medicine for minor conditions and refer those with cataracts for sight-restoring surgery.
Chikwawa
Nestled between the Blantyre mountains and the Mozambique border, Chikwawa's plains are Rex and George's office.
The Shire River, known for its resident hippos, meanders through the countryside. On either side of the river, a lush green landscape with leafy sugarcane stretches all the way to the mountains.
Between the fields and river, a patchwork of settlements and farms are home to around 350,000 people. Away from the industrious sugarcane farming, families rely on these smallholdings for their food and livelihoods.
For eight years, Rex Bwanausi has been working in Chikwawa as an ophthalmic clinical officer.
He travels north to south, east to west, to examine patients.
Two main roads pierce the district, with smaller dust tracks branching off.
It’s along these roads and down these tracks that Rex and George travel every day to do their life-changing work.
Today, they will take the bumpy, uneven track to Dolo Health Centre.
Rose, who helps spread the message that Rex is in town, explains why his presence means so much to the community.
“Mr Bwanausi does a commendable job in our area. To the point that in this area if you just say ‘Mr. Bwanausi is coming,’ it is like a president is coming. People applaud him because he is saving the lives of many people here in our area in Dolo in Chikwawa. If he is coming here today, just like how you saw, you will find that a hundred and something people will gather.”
‘President Bwanausi’
A man of true grit, Rex has the gravitas of a leader, the kindness of a favourite uncle and the skills of a doctor – topped off with a subtle sense of humour that makes him one of a kind.
George has worked alongside Rex for the past year.
Cool and calm, he interacts with patients with warmth and efficiency. As an optometrist, it’s his role to examine and treat people’s eyes.
At the screening camp, Rex and George are on the lookout for patients with blinding cataracts, who they refer to the district hospital for surgery.
It’s going to take some time to screen the eyes of everyone at the camp but it’s something that Rex and George do with patience and warmth.
People come from miles around to these eye screening camps.
Word gets out on local radio, but it’s not always enough to convince people they should make the journey. Often, it’s friends and neighbours who make the difference.
How the word spreads
Wilson is a doting grandfather and prides himself on helping his grandchildren with their homework.
He was so overjoyed to have his sight restored by cataract surgery that he became an activist for eye health in his community, sharing his story with his neighbours and encouraging them to seek medical treatment.
I became a programme ambassador because, when I saw the goodness that had been done, I didn't want to keep it to myself.
One of those neighbours was Ganizani. He lost his sight in 2020 from cataracts in both eyes and was struggling to farm his smallholding and retain his independence.
False beliefs about medical treatment can be common in rural communities, and Ganizani had been scared by rumours that his eyes might be removed during surgery and his sight gone forever. Ganizani's wife Dayilesi heard that surgery meant Ganizani’s eyes would be removed: “They said they remove an eye, put it in a plate, remove an eye, put it in a plate… and they leave you to go home blind, without eyes, and never see again.”
But Wilson explained what the surgery was really like and told Ganizani about Rex and his work. Reassured, Ganizani agreed to go for screening followed by sight-restoring surgery.
Word of Ganizani’s successful surgery got around and eventually reached Alice, who lives a short stroll from Ganizani’s house past some fields of maize.
Hearing Ganizani’s story prompted Alice, who was also experiencing sight loss from cataracts, to seek out Wilson for more information.
Listen to Alice describe how it all happened, in her own inimitable style.
Angeshita’s story
Thanks to volunteers spreading the message, the number of people attending eye screening camps has increased significantly since 2019.
One of these people is Angeshita.
Angeshita’s life has changed dramatically as a result of cataract surgery.
Watch to the end of this short film to see how sometimes, pure joy can only be expressed through dancing!
“When they removed the bandage, I just saw total brightness.
All lights inside my eyes! I was so happy inside my heart.”
A gift that keeps on giving
Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Rex and his colleagues have delivered thousands of cataract operations in southern Malawi and as a result, transformed the lives of countless people.
Alefa farming after sight restoring surgery.
Alefa farming after sight restoring surgery.
Ganizani and his wife Dayilesi enjoying cooking a meal. Ganizani received cataract surgery as part of the programme in 2020.
Ganizani and his wife Dayilesi enjoying cooking a meal. Ganizani received cataract surgery as part of the programme in 2020.
Ntheteme living independently after surgery.
Ntheteme living independently after surgery.
Dorothy dancing with joy.
Dorothy dancing with joy.
Alice and Wilson chatting.
Alice and Wilson chatting.
The end of a long day
As the tiring but fulfilling day draws to a close, Rex and George reflect on another successful eye screening camp. They’ve checked hundreds of people’s eyes and referred many people for surgery. They pull into Chikwawa town as the sun sets and the smell of food from nearby street vendors hangs in the air. George jumps out of the vehicle and wishes Rex a safe journey home.
He buys some food at the market for his evening meal and chats to the vendor about the prospect of his beloved football team, the Mighty Wanderers, winning this weekend’s game.
Rex drives home to his wife and family. He sits in his favourite chair, drinks a cup of coffee and finally relaxes.
And tomorrow, their work begins again. Travelling on the roads of Chikwawa, past the fields and the river, driven by their passion for restoring sight.
To find out more about the Sightsavers projects that players of People's Postcode Lottery support click here:
To explore other projects and organisations supported by People's Postcode Lottery click here:
With thanks to...
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Rex Bwanausi, George Richards, staff at Chikwawa District Hospital, staff at Dolo Health Centre, staff at Nanthusi Health Centre, Angeshita and family, Dorothy and family, Mickson and family, Wilson and family, Ganizani and Dayilesi, Alice and family, Alefa and family, Ntheteme and family, Naomie Msungeni, Effie Kaminyoghe, Bright Chiwaula, Mabuchi Chirambo, Levison Chingaipe, Dereck Mamiwa, Funsani Scander, Madalitso Band, Neil Nayer, Bongo Joe Records and Homeline Media Malawi (Bennie, Andrew and Spencer).
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