The nonprofit was formed in 2004 in the Midwestern state of Michigan by American David Bowman for the purpose of providing humanitarian health care to South Sudan. VOA
Patient Mach Athem, 50, said he, too, can see again after successful surgery by Malang.
"If God has brought the doctor to come and help us, all someone like me can say is 'thank you.' I was in a difficult condition, depending on someone else for everything," Athem told "South Sudan in Focus."
Athem, Ayak and other patients say they are learning to be self-reliant now that they can see again.
Unfortunately, Malang says, not all patients can have their sight restored.
"People with glaucoma, people with corneal scaring, we are not able to restore their sight. So what happens? We just tell them we can't do it and we counsel them. So it is hard for them and we feel bad, but there is nothing more we can do," Malang told VOA.
Deng Ajak Jongkuch, executive director for Partners in Compassionate Care, said the eye operations began last week and will continue until April 2. He said there was a real need for this type of surgery in Bor.
"We do this work because of the vulnerability of elderly people. They don't have money to go to Juba, Kenya or Uganda for care. And cataract surgery is a simple 15-minute operation, but untreated, a cataract can destroy somebody's life. Most patients must have someone to help them, guide them to showers, to the bathroom, to bed and to food. But after the operation, they become independent and that's very rewarding," Jongkuch told VOA.
