Waterloo, Sierra Leone – October 2, 2025: In a powerful demonstration of compassion and collaboration, Don Bosco Fambul, in partnership with Spanish nonprofit Visio Sense Fronteres, has successfully concluded a week-long cataract surgery campaign at a hospital in Waterloo, Sierra Leone. The initiative provided free surgeries to 217 individuals, restoring their vision and significantly improving their quality of life.
The campaign, open to all and entirely free of charge, reflects the Salesian commitment to inclusive healthcare for vulnerable communities. In addition to the surgeries, beneficiaries received post-operative medications and reading lenses, ensuring comprehensive support throughout their recovery.
“We are very proud of the impact this initiative continues to have—not only in restoring vision, but also in restoring dignity and independence for hundreds of individuals,” said a representative from Don Bosco Fambul. “The success of this campaign has deepened our partnership with Visio Sense Fronteres, and we remain grateful for their continued collaboration.”
Don Bosco Fambul, a national leader in child protection, has been serving Sierra Leone’s most vulnerable populations since 1998. Originally established to rehabilitate and reintegrate child soldiers, the organization now operates the country’s largest interim care and therapeutic centers for abused children, with two main campuses in Freetown.
In a country where youth face significant barriers to education and employment—exacerbated by a shortage of teachers and damaged infrastructure—initiatives like this cataract campaign offer a beacon of hope. With an estimated 70% of Sierra Leone’s youth unemployed or underemployed, access to healthcare and social services remains a critical need.
The success of the Waterloo campaign underscores the transformative power of medical outreach and international cooperation, offering not just restored sight, but renewed possibilities for hundreds of Sierra Leoneans.
Sources: Don Bosco Fambul