​      In 2016, the Sponsel Foundation teamed up with doctors from around the world to open a modern eye clinic in Malawi at a location made possible by Child Legacy International. Our Eyes of Africa clinic is a permanent, full-time clinic where surgeons and researchers engage in vision-related projects and surgeries with state of the art equipment. In 2016 and 2017 the clinic was able to assist over 590 patients and perform over 150 surgeries with mission teams  made up of Ophthalmologists and surgery trained staff, Registered Nurses, Optometrists, and various volunteers!

      This year a successful clinic was held at the Eyes of Africa location in August 2017.  Our team of 12 to include Dr. Cook from South Africa and his nurse Jenny and Ophthalmic technician Ashley, saw 230 patients and performed 58 surgical procedures.  Of course, our EOA, OCO Richard Chitedze and RN, Vincent Saka championed running the clinic and operating room along with the local Ophthalmologist Dr. Masosa. During this trip Dr. Sponsel was able to train many of them in multiple procedures including lasers. 

      Unfortunately, due to low funds the Sponsel Foundation was not able to send a team in 2018, however, Dr. Sponsel was able to go in December or 2018 and train the staff to begin working on a DNA Study in partnership with Duke University. The staff there will continue to collect samples and prepare them for shipment to other clinics around the world in an attempt to find genetic identifiers of Glaucoma and develop a protocol for recognizing Glaucoma suspects. 

      At the end of July 2019 the Sponsel Foundation excitedly sent a small team of necessary personnel for a short eye camp to the Eyes of Africa clinic. In 2 and 1/2 days our team, with the help of the local surgeon and staff, was able to perform 60+ procedures and restore sight to someone who hadn't been able to see in 5 years. We are so thankful for the year round hard work of our trained staff, Richard Chitedze and  Vincent Saka who keep our clinic running year round and who assist Dr. Msosa with cataract surgeries every week, providing sight restoring procedures to the people of Malawi.
     
     Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world; approximately 1% of the population is blind; 40% of these are due to cataracts; the other leading causes include trauma, environmental issues, malnutrition, and congenital diseases. This unique clinic is the only hope for many and will serve as a model for clinics that can be set up in other African countries.