Kenyan Woman Who Went to Saudi With Her Sight Returns Home Blind, Shares Painful Ordeal

A heartbreaking story has emerged of Phelesia Ochieng, a Kenyan woman who left the country with hopes of improving her family’s life but returned home blind, facing a completely changed reality.

Phelesia, who travelled to Saudi Arabia to work as a domestic worker, had hoped to build a better future for her children and support her family financially. 

Coming from a modest background, she viewed the opportunity as a chance to uplift her life and that of her loved ones.

While in Saudi Arabia, she worked in various households and eventually took care of an elderly woman, a role she said she performed diligently and with dedication. 

Her efforts began to bear fruit as she regularly sent money back home, saving for a long-term dream of building a home for her father.

However, her experience took a tragic turn toward the end of her contract. She recalled a suspicious moment when she was given a glass of milk, which she noticed contained unusual black particles. Though she poured it away, she did not immediately suspect anything was wrong.

Shortly after completing her contract, Phelesia went to sleep and woke up to complete darkness. Despite seeking medical help, doctors abroad were unable to explain the sudden loss of her sight or offer a clear diagnosis.

With no improvement in her condition, she was eventually sent back to Kenya. Her return was not the joyful homecoming she had envisioned, but rather a moment of shock and confusion for her family—especially her children, who struggled to understand why their once-healthy mother could no longer see.

Back in Nairobi’s Kayole area, Phelesia is now adjusting to life without sight while relying on her family for support. Despite her condition, she remains determined to rebuild her life and care for her children, showing resilience in the face of immense hardship.

Her story highlights the challenges some migrant workers face abroad and the risks involved in seeking employment in foreign countries. It also echoes similar experiences shared by other returnees who have suffered injuries or life-altering conditions while working overseas.

As Phelesia continues her journey, her family and community stand by her, hoping for answers about what truly happened and praying for strength as she adapts to her new reality.