Seeing the World More Clearly

REAP/OneSight volunteers with students who have just put on glasses for the first time

Today we went into a rural village to distribute new glasses to some local primary school students. It took a long time to get to the school, which is located in an extremely remote, rural setting. When we entered the fourth grade classroom, the students stared at us with wonder and curiosity. After handing out glasses to the students, we happily watched them fill up with joy and excitement.

Life is so hard for these rural children, and any simple meals like rice, noodles or buns can make them feel satisfied. Unfortunately, these children from rural areas are suffering from eye problems that are affecting their learning experiences. I really hope that these eyeglasses will help them see more clearly in class, advance their learning, and help them find better jobs so they can improve their living conditions.

Recently, I met a primary school student who had -9.00 of myopia and -3.00 of astigmatism. As an optometrist, I can understand her pain of not being able to see anything clearly without glasses. I am very proud of being part of the REAP/OneSight team, and I am extremely glad that OneSight's cooperation with REAP can give kids like her a pair of glasses to give her hope for a better future.

I still remember her smiling face when she put on her first pair of glasses, saying, “Wow, everything is so clear! I can read the blackboard now!” This project means so much to us because we were able to lift these children out of darkness and into a brighter, more promising world.