The optics shop in the Vilankulos district (Mozambique) completed its first year. And, above all, it’s meeting its objectives.
During this year, Eyes of the world contributed 1,330 glasses, 502 frames, 384 special glasses, and equipment for the workshop. With this material, the optics shop was able to give 454 patients access to glasses, frames, and repairs, and donations were made to the populations without resources.
Almost €6,000 was raised from these subsidized sales, and it will all be invested in the acquisition of new materials and the maintenance of the optics shop to continue offering a solidarity service to those who need it.
Furthermore, 140 prescription glasses were provided to students and teachers from 8 elementary schools in the area. The optometrist of Provincial Hospital of Inhambane made 700 consultations and visited 182 male students and 210 female students to detect possible ocular anomalies. Once the revisions necessary were established, the women in charge of the optics shop mounted glasses with the appropriate lenses for each person.
Uncorrected refractive defects are the principle cause of visual deficiencies in the world and also in Mozambique. Having access to glasses with the necessary optical corrections has meant an exponential improvement in the quality of life for the people and the schooling of children in these schools.
This optics shop, not only completes the decisive mission of attending to the population with refractive defects of the district, but also operates with a gender equality approach. The workshop is directed and managed by a local women’s organization, to whom the Foundation helps, trains, and supervises in its daily action.
The Eyes of Mozambique program has the support of City Council of Abrera, Andoain City Council, Astigarraga City Council, Irún City Council, Santa Coloma de Gramenet City Council, Guipúzcoa Provincial Council, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and ESCRS (European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons).
