Simon Frackiewicz a trained Optometerist, and a partner in the Robert Frith Practices based in Somerset has now extended the work of AAF by setting up an eye clinic based at Gai Health Centre to help allieviate some of the many eye problems of the local people.
Here is his story of his initial visit in 2007
In November 2007, I was invited to join Dr Buckle on a visit to the Tei Wa Yesu clinic at Gai in my capacity as an optometrist. My principle objective was to test the sight of the local community, and provide spectacles where possible. I took with me a large number of donated glasses from my practices. It was also my intention to provide some basic training in eye testing in order that it would be possible for clinic staff to continue eye examinations in my absence.
As a result, I had to take with me all the necessary equipment, medication and in the region of 600 pairs of spectacles, incorporating as wide a range of prescriptions as possible. My first day at the clinic proved to be the most challenging of my career with an unprecidented level of demand for the service.
People had travelled from all over the Kamba region, in some cases covering distances of over 70km, and others staying overnight just to ensure they would be seen. As a result, at one point there were more than 40 people waiting to have there eyes tested, a far cry from my clinics at home. With the help of Dr Buckle, 170 people underwent eye examinations in four days of testing, with a further 450 children receiving a basic test one morning at the local school.
The majority of people attending complained of reduced near vision, particularly when reading the Bible, with sorting seeds and threading needles posing similar problems. Where possible, spectacles were dispensed, and in all approximately 150 pairs were provided to children and adults alike.
Sadly, there were many cases of poor vision which I was unable to help, largely because of some form of eye disease. I tested a dozen people who were completely blind due to cataract, a situation which rarely, if ever is allowed to occur in the UK. With a simple operation costing less than £100, their lives could be transformed, significantly improving the quality of their lives, and of their relatives who are required to care for them.
There were many other cases of trauma to the eyes which had resulted in loss of vision due to the lack of eye care facilities in the area. Overall the experience was very rewarding, and it was a priviledge to help so many people to be able to see better. It was clear that there is much more work still to be done, in particular raising money to fund cataract operations for those who had lost their sight. Fortunately, I was able to tech a member of the clinic staff, Dorcas, the fundamental elements of an eye examination, and at the time of writing this article, she had tested a further 25 people.
There are a number ways in which you can help this project,
If you have old unwanted and unused glasses which you could donate, these can be recyled by Simon to give better sight to a Kenyan person. They can be left at any branch of Robert Frith Optometerists
If you would like to help Simon bring the gift of sight to people in Kenya.
Please click the link to donate towards a cataract operation.
