MORE than 170 students in Bawang Assan, Sarawak, have received free spectacles through a programme called “Clear Vision, Excellent Life”.
The initiative for the area in Sibu district was organised by Sungai Empawah neighbourhood committee, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Bawang Assan branch and Norkiah Madani Community.
The programme is aimed at helping students who have vision problems but cannot afford spectacles.
PDP Bawang Assan chairman councillor Wong Hua said the initiative had come about following a request from about 20 schools with students who had difficulty following lessons.
“Clear vision is the starting point of dreams,” he said.
“Without the spectacles, affected pupils are left behind from the beginning.”
Speaking at the spectacles handover ceremony, Wong Hua said a notification letter had been sent to all primary and secondary school heads in Bawang Assan to identify affected students, with eye examinations carried out during the school holidays in collaboration with local opticians.
He expressed shock at learning that some students had severe vision impairment.
Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, who was present at the event, hopes that the students will be better able to focus on their studies with their new spectacles.
