THE GIFT S
eventeen Eye Glass Missions have taken me all over the world dispensing used
eyeglasses and frames of all types to those in need in many of the Third World countries. I very much appreciate all the generous Okanagan residents who over the years have donated their reading glasses, sunglasses, bifocals and distance eyewear. Used donated Okanagan eyeglasses are being worn in more than 19 countries and have made a world of difference.
OF VISION; HOW YOUR OLD EYEGLASSES HELP THE POOR BY CATHERINE GOHEEN,
Your eyeglasses have helped prevent child labour, allowed a failing student to see both the blackboard and the soccer field, resulting in a chance to living a normal life, allowed young men and women to return to work enabling them to support a family.
Your eyeglasses have even extended the lives of elderly people, who were no longer able to be productive because of their deteriorated vision, as they would be asked by their chief to leave the village and wander off into the jungle to die.
Optometrist, Dr. M. Choudhry We are proud to announce
Dr.M. Choudhry is opening his practice in
Dr. Specs Optical Call now to book an eye exam.
E X A M
www.DrSpecsOptical.ca
Orchard Plaza (next to Save-On-Foods)
250.861.1585 Penticton Plaza
(next to Shoppers Drug Mart) 250.492.5550
FALL 2012 | 11 E Y E E
Many women in third world countries feed their children by sewing, weaving or embroidering on a piecework basis. They often sell their products cheaply to tourists. At an age of 35 to 40, the ultra violet rays from the sun have damaged their eyes, prematurely. As a result, they cannot see close to perform their craft. Often they must rely on their children to quit school and work full time so that the family can eat. It is common for a mother who receives our reading glasses to share with us that she can see close with them and now can go back to work, hence her oldest children will now be able to return to school.
My first trip was to Guatemala, where we did a 2-week eyeglass mission with optometrists, ophthalmologists and a 12-person team, in a small village in the mountains. In following years, I did missions in India and Philippines. Once I joined Rotary, I realized the local Rotary Clubs had optometrists that volunteered from their own countries, so I now
FOUNDER & OWNER OF DR. SPECS OPTICAL
contact local organizations that have an eye care system for the poor and deliver the used glasses to successful teams of volunteers. As well, I hold back reading glasses in my backpack and distribute these readers to the poor in remote areas.
The joy of providing vision to people with no hope of ever buying eyeglasses is unbelievable, and overshadows any of the discomforts we experience during our travels. The emotional high that one receives watching the poor look through reading glasses for the first time is most satisfying.
These glasses empower people to continue to work and feed their families. When they really need the glasses, they do not care what they look like as long as they help them see. Your used eyeglasses have made a difference all over the world.
People in Costa Rica, Uruguay, Paraguay, Ecuador, Peru, Vietnam, Columbia, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Swaziland, Mozambique, Malawi, Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Cuba, have all received Okanagan eyeglasses.
My next trip this fall will be to Cameroon, in Western Africa, a poor country that sees few tourists. If you are interested in helping out, please drop off your used eyeglasses and sunglasses at Dr. Specs Optical in Orchard Plaza near Save On Foods, or at the Dr. Specs near Shoppers Drug Mart in Penticton Plaza.
Hanoi, Vietnam man needs glasses to continuing creating his toys to sell. Woman in the mountains/jungle of Columbia.
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