World first for Devon multimedia journalist
Devon multimedia journalist Rachel Palmer is part of the team delivering a world first next week as she films the first ever live broadcast of a cataract surgery from a hospital in Malawi.
The Google+ digital event will enable viewers around the world to share in real time the journey of Mr Winesi March as he has his sight restored.
The broadcast is to launch the new fundraising appeal for international development charity Sightsavers which is hoping to raise £30 million to support one million sight-restoring surgeries, and transform the lives of those living with blindness in developing countries.
The appeal’s first ‘miracle’ will be broadcast around the world via satellite by Rachel and the Fieldcraft Studios team on Wednesday 8 October at 1.30pm, on Google+ and at millionmiracles.org/location/malawi/. The two-day event will follow 69 year old Winesi, who has been completely blind for two years, as he travels to hospital for cataract surgery to give him sight again. The global audience will then, on Thursday 9 October, share in the joyful moment as Winesi’s bandages are removed and he can see his baby grandson for the first time.
Rachel grew up in Tiverton and now lives with her family in Shaldon, Devon.
Whilst in Malawi last month to start capturing the story of Winesi (click here to watch the trailer) Rachel commented: “I just imagined my mum not having ever seen my daughter who’s just a bit older than Winesi’s grandson. It’s going to be quite an emotional moment when he sees Luka for the first time. And all for a £30 quick operation.
Globally, 20 million people, most of who live in developing countries, are living with cataract, a condition that causes sight to become blurred and gradually lost completely. However cataracts are treatable with an operation that takes less than half an hour, and costs Sightsavers just £30.
To watch the See the Miracle broadcast live from Malawi at 1.30pm, on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 October visit millionmiracles.org/location/malawi/.
You can also follow Rachel on her trip to Malawi via social media at https://twitter.com/rachelpalmer
