By Virginia Njovo
The Albino Trust of Zimbabwe has embarked on a ground breaking initiative to help vulnerable communities through subsidising spectacles for individuals in need, offering them for free to people with albinism and the elderly.
The elderly will also be given reading glasses for free in a move aimed at promoting visual health and inclusivity bridging the gap in access to affordable eye care services addressing the unique needs of people with albinism, the blind and senior citizens.
Speaking to TellZim News at Civic Centre during an outreach programme, Albino Trust of Zimbabwe Executive Director Bruce Nyoni said the programme was there to improve inclusivity and reduce stigma in society.
“We are committed to improve inclusivity in societies as everyone in need affords the spectacles, our spectacles used to be US$100 but they are now going for US$50 dollars only whereas consultation is five dollars.
“These charges only applies to able bodied people whereas the old and other less privileged get the services for free,” Nyoni said.
He said they had partnered with local authorities across Zimbabwe to offer discounted eye examination and other services.
“The Trust has partnered with local authorities across the nation where they are offering discounted eye examinations and spectacles, making these essential services more accessible to those in need,” said Nyoni.
During the outreach, people were given white canes (walking sticks), sunglasses, reading glasses as well as talking wrist watches and the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude saying the programme helped improve vision and enhanced quality of life.
Desire Muketiwa of Ward 6 in Masvingo expressed his happiness after getting sunglasses, a white can and a talking watch.
“I am happy as a person who is blind, I am grateful for this gesture as it improves my confidence as well as minimize accidents. I can now walk alone without my helper as I can feel the ground with my new walking stick,” said Muketiwa.
Nyasha Cheure from Mapanzure area in ward 19, who is visually impaired, said owning a talking watch was a dream come true as he wanted it but could not afford.
“I was in need of these in my life but had never imagined myself with a talking watch or this kind of sunglasses,” said Cheure.
76-year-old, Tatenda Musingarambwi who was among 140 elderly beneficiaries who got reading glasses from Albino Trust in Masvingo said she was thankfull as her vision was fading.
“I am grateful with this programme since my vision was fading, I was struggling to read on my own I regard this as empowerment as I am now capacitated,” said Musingarambwi.
