Anna brings the gift of sight to Zambia

Anna, who is an optometrist, is part of a UK team travelling with Vision Aid OVerseas bringing the gift of sight to children in the African country.

“Our team consists of five optometrists and one dispensing optician from across the UK,” explained Anna. “We will meet up for the first time at Heathrow airport before boarding our flight to Zambia.

“We are setting up a clinic in a rural area outside Lusaka and aim to examine 250 people per day and dispense glasses when needed. People will come from rural communities and queue up all day to be seen. 670 million people (10% of world population) are disadvantaged by poor sight and a percentage of these are visually impaired just because they cant get glasses.

13 million children globally need glasses and risk missing an education because they cant see well enough to learn.”

Before setting off on her trip, Anna has been busy fundraising for Vision Aid Overseas.

She recently held a bagpacking day at Sainsbury’s at Sprucefield and was grateful for the support of the staff at the local store.

“I would like to thank John Lockhart the manager and staff at Sainsburys Sprucefield for giving me the opportunity to bag pack and raise a substantial amount for the charity,” continued Anna.

“I would also like to thank Jonathan Hall Opticians for making a substantial donation, as well as family and friends who helped with the bag packing and those who donated to just giving page.”