MORE THAN a hundred public school students and abandoned kids benefited from eye refraction, feeding and empowerment activities conducted by the Cebu Lumad Lions Club (Lumads) in the cities of Mandaue and Cebu.
In line with the celebration of “Melvin Jones Week,” the Lumads chose three elementary schools in Mandaue City to conduct free eye check-up or refraction.
Gaille Dejoras, project chairman for Sight for Kids, said Jones was the founder of Lions Club International and the compassion to those who are visually impaired leads the values of the club.
The project Sight for Kids chose students from Subangdaku, Ibaba-Estancia and Maguikay Elementary Schools.
Volunteer optometrists Dr. Myla Venturillo refracted 80 students in all schools and would have done more if not for time constraints.
She said it is a good thing that there are private organizations that are taking time to take care of the issue on poor eyesight among school children.
Venturillo signed the prescription for eyeglasses for the school kids which the Lions Club will provide. Unfortunately, some parents fail to recognize that their children have vision issues since childbirth or early years. Early treatment and management could have prevented it.
Ryan Solon, a Lumad member, said having assisted in the conduct of the project makes one think as a parent to make sure all necessary nutrients for growth and development are provided to children.
Based on the interactions he had with the school children’, he said the parents were not able to have the children’s eyes checked due to financial constraints.
He also learned that other than nutrition deficiencies, the unregulated use of gadgets such as cellular phones, tablets, computers and even watching television instigate eyesight problems.
The “Youngsters Project – a Youth Empowerment” activity for a hundred children at the SOS Village in Cebu City was also held.
Rose Diaz, project chairman, said some 100 abandoned and fostered children at the SOS Village were fed and also underwent an empowerment session. “We get to learn who they are, their dreams, aspirations and taught them tips on how to balance life and reach these dreams,” Diaz said.
Cebu Lumad Lions have in lined for this year, several activities with the public sector for various services benefiting children, women and others.
Melvin Jones week is celebrated every January commemorating the birthday of Jones – January 13, 1879. The Lions adapted Jones code of service, “”You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else.” (RMN, FCC)
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