From Blurry to Bright: A New Vision for Our Students

In May of this year, we shared with you the story of a compassionate team of eye specialists from the UK who journeyed to the School of Hope to conduct sight screens for all our students – their efforts have now borne fruit!

Led by the dedicated Dr. Nadeem Ali, the team of 6 specialists found that a staggering 102 of our students were in need of glasses.  Some had prescriptions so high that they had struggled to see clearly for years, especially among the older students. For many of the children, glasses were an unattainable luxury, their cost far exceeding the financial means of both EFTC and the families we support.

But the team didn't stop at the eye tests; they went above and beyond, forging partnerships with Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care, Hoya Lens UK, and Eyespace. These partnerships led to an astonishing donation of 204 pairs of glasses – two pairs for each student, ensuring that one set would always be available at the school for classroom use. 

It took a few days for the glasses to be fitted and for further tests to be conducted, ensuring that each student could now see the world with newfound clarity. To ensure the sustainability of this vision, our social team received training to conduct regular eye tests in the future. Dr. Ali and his incredible team have committed to returning every three years or so, marking the beginning of a long-term collaboration that promises continued support.

Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude towards everyone who made this life-changing donation possible. The smiles on our students faces as they proudly don their stylish glasses speak for themselves. Watch the video below: 

If you are part of a team or organisation that could support our students in Guatemala, please reach out at enquiries@eftc.org.uk. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a difference in their lives!