In the heart of the Peruvian Andes, in the community of Challwaccocha, we met Gregoria Yupanqui, a talented 51-year-old weaver. Her story reminds us of the importance of eye health and how it can profoundly impact a person’s life and livelihood.
An unexpected discovery…
Over the past year, we noticed small imperfections in Gregoria's knitting. We decided to invite her to knit in pairs, thinking that she could improve her technique, but what we discovered shocked us: Gregoria suffered from severe myopia of more than 12 diopters, a congenital problem that had gone unnoticed throughout her life.
This situation presented us with a cultural challenge…
In highland communities, wearing glasses is not common and can even be frowned upon. This cultural stigma presents an additional challenge for people like Gregoria, who need vision correction but fear judgment from their community.
We worked with Gregoria and her family to help them understand the importance of taking care of their vision. We explained that the glasses would not only improve her quality of life, but would also allow her to continue her passion for knitting, a vital source of income for her.
Some lessons learned:
1. The importance of visual health in productivity and quality of life.
2. The need for health programs that reach remote communities.
3. The crucial role of education in overcoming cultural stigmas.
Gregoria's story reminds us that sometimes, the solution to a problem can be right before our eyes.
As leaders and professionals, we have a responsibility to look beyond the obvious and seek solutions that improve the lives of the people we work with.
