Leung said this story is a powerful testament to the deep bond between China and Africa as those names will carry that friendship forward over a lifetime.

Nestled in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti endures a harsh tropical climate with intense sunlight and strong UV radiation. Combined with limited access to healthcare and low living standards, these conditions have made cataract one of the leading causes of blindness in the country.

For many, the lack of qualified ophthalmologists meant living in darkness for years — until help finally arrived.