Worldwide Eyes for the World kicks off in Louis Trichardt

AN international sponsorship project – Eyes for the World visited Louis Trichardt on April 14 and 15.

This project was sponsored by the Agora Lockeren Belgium ladies; Agora Ladies in Louis Trichardt did the organising of the events and helped to test eyes and identify schools that needed the help. The Eyes for the World project distributed 300 pairs of glasses in the area.

Agora has worked closely with the department of education, who has enthusiastically bought into this project and given support in identifying the three schools where screenings were needed. These schools are Elim Primary, Masungulo Primary and Ozias Davhane High School.

On April 14 the first school was screened and eyes were tested out of 500 children only four needed glasses and two were referred to an eye specialist.

“I was happy with this as this shows me that the children at Musugula Primary School in Elim have good nutrition, they eat enough vegetables and fruit. They are children who play outside they are not in front of the television all day,” said Koen van Pottelbergh who heads the Eyes for the World project.

Koen has been an optometrist since 1988. He has also been blind in his left eye for 15 years. He started the Eyes for the World project in December 2012. “After loosing sight in my one eye it has changed how I look at life,” he said.

On April 14 an informative and uplifting presentation was given by Koen. He explained how the glasses worked and why they are important. These adspecs are filled with dow corning optical fluid, so that the power can be determined by filling the membrane with silicone.

It’s important that once a child has been given the correct spectacles that they don’t throw them away. Children who need glasses should look after them, explained Koen.

“This project is a worldwide project and what makes it possible is the fact that I don’t need expensive optometrist equipment to identify a problem,” Koen said.

Koen also spoke about his one dream. “My one dream would be to open a local eye wear shop, run by local people. I would rather sell the adspecs for cheaper than to give it away for free.

“As we are all people and we all know what happens when we receive things for free. It is necessary for people, who wear glasses to be tested every four years, that is why I would like to open a shop locally. And when I am not here people can still be helped,” he said.

Koen ended his presentation with a quote from Nelson Mandela: “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”