Representatives and organizers announce the
second-annual Gift of Sight Foundation eye-glasses giveaway event.
Urasin Khantaraphan
More than 50 foreign ophthalmologists will donate 6,500 pairs of glasses
to Chonburi residents at a Gift of Sight Foundation event Nov. 11-20 at Pattaya
School No. 7.
Bandit Siritanyong, vice president of the Thai-Chinese Cultural and Economic
Association, and Pongthep Leungsuwan, representatives from Gift of Sight
Foundation in Thailand announced the second-annual event Oct. 23. Last year the
group donated 4,000 pairs of glasses.
Gift of Sight was founded with the intention to help the poor obtain free eye
exams and glasses. Since 1999, the group has helped more than 350,000 people, he
said.
“The Gift of Sight” is a collaboration between the Public Health Ministry and
One Sight Foundation of the United States, which organized a team of eye doctors
from 40 countries to perform checkups and prescribe glasses.
In addition, doctors will offer advice on maintaining good eye health and
preventing eye diseases. Those at risk of blindness will be sent to a hospital
or nursing center for further care.
Twelve different groups will be able to present names of needy individuals for
the campaign. Demand last year was overwhelming, with Sattahip district turning
away many who thought they qualified.
This year, Pattaya was allotted 850 slots while the Pattaya Police can nominate
250 people and Father Ray Foundation another 300.
Laem Chabang gets 600 nominations and the Pattaya Press Club 50. The rest are
split between six other Chonburi districts.
Those who received free glasses previously are not eligible for new pairs. To
register, call the Pattaya Call Center at 1337.
