Cover -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Contents -- A healer and torch bearer -- Preface -- In lieu of an introduction: Immersing myself in the life of Erika Sutter -- I. The Roots -- II. Childhood and Adolescence -- A happy time: Early childhood years in Basel and holidays in Valais -- Paradise was in Troistorrents -- The youngest -- School days -- A conflict-laden adolescence -- III. University Studies duringWorld War II and starting in a profession -- The challenge of choosing a career -- Studying during turbulent times -- Not quite as planned: the start of professional life -- Two unmarried daughters set up house on the Spalenberg -- Life during the Second World War -- IV. Preparing for Africa -- First contact with the mission -- A circuitous route leads to a successful plunge -- Two happy years in Sweden -- A decision, and a second contact with the mission -- Final preparations and departure -- V. The Path to Ophthalmology -- Settling down in Elim -- The laboratory - a long working day -- Nationalisation of the schools: the spread of "Bantu Education" -- A new challenge: Medical School in Johannesburg -- The year of residency -- Specializing in ophthalmology -- VI. Head of the Eye Hospitalin Elim -- Returning to Elim as a doctor -- Her own home with a garden -- Making music in the mission setting -- Vacation and more training -- Language - understanding - communication -- Stories about spectacles -- Apartheid and forced resettlement -- Apartheid and Christianity -- Working and living in South Africa under apartheid -- New possibilities open up: a second ophthalmologist in Elim -- The School for the Diploma in Ophthalmic Nursing -- The Eye Doctor's own eye problems -- VII. The most meaningful years in Erika's life: The Care Groups -- Community eye health - the development of the Care Groups -- Leadership and being a leader.

Health education based on what people know -- Managing time and people -- Finding support -- Voluntary work -- The repressive political environment -- Ubuntu: People are a gold mine -- VIII. Retirement and the return to Basel -- Preparations for retirement -- The grand departure from Elim -- The return to Basel, and new contacts -- Passing on knowledge and experience -- Experiences with apartheid, seen from afar - and the beginning of change -- New horizons -- Honours -- Drawing strength from family -- Limited time, and thoughts of death -- IX. A final look back and forward -- A conversation between Erika Sutter (E) and Gertrud Stiehle (G) -- Illustrations -- Bibliography -- Back cover.