Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. ophthalmology (n.) [of-thuhl-mol-uh-jee] – the branch of medicine that deals
with the eye and its diseases
Example: She wants to study ophthalmology to treat her mother’s
blindness.
2. miracle (n.) [mir-uh-kuhl] – any wonderful or amazing event
Example: It is a miracle that many survived the plane crash.
3. hesitant (adj.) [hez-i-tuhnt] – not sure or not decided to do something
because of fear or worry
Example: He was hesitant to ask the girl a question because she
looked busy.
4. curable (adj.) [kyoor-uh-buhl] – possible of healing (usually from
sickness)
Example: People in the past suffered from many diseases that
are now curable with modern medicine.
5. advocacy (n.) [ad-vuh-kuh-see] – a support for the benefit of something
Example: The
president’s advocacy is to provide jobs for the people in his country.
Article
Read the text below.
Read the text below.
Thousands
of Namibians suffering from blindness caused by cataract have seen the light
through Dr. Helena Ndume, Namibia’s so-called “miracle doctor.”
Dr. Ndume
heads the ophthalmology department of Windhoek Central,
Namibia’s largest hospital.
Before
she became Namibia’s “miracle doctor”, Ndume dreamt of becoming a
fashion designer as a teenager. However, at the age of 15, she joined the
movement for Namibia’s independence.
While in
the movement, she was told by Nahas Angula, Namibia’s current Prime Minister,
that as an independent country, Namibia needed doctors and not fashion
designers. Thereafter, she was sent to Germany to study medicine. Upon her
return in 1989, she was encouraged to focus on ophthalmology.
At first,
people were hesitant to undergo eye surgeries. But after
Ndume’s first successful operation, everyone started seeking her help.
Cataract
is one of the leading causes of blindness in Namibia. According to Ndume, it is
unacceptable that many people still suffer from this condition even though it
is curable.
Aside
from helping Namibians in their daily lives, Ndume conduct eye operations in
poor areas where people cannot afford to pay. Her advocacies have
inspired international groups like Surgical Eye Expeditions (SEE) and Seeing
Without Borders to help restore the eyesight of many Namibians.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion
A
·
Do you think a doctor should still
help a sick person even if the person cannot pay? Explain your answer.
·
Have you ever dreamt of becoming a
doctor? Why or why not?
Discussion B
·
What would be the effects of choosing
to help other people over chasing one’s own dreams?
·
Are you willing to give up your dreams
to help other people?