In Feb 2020, we were able to meet Priya and Priyanka to speak about how they became vision ambassadors.
Vision Ambassadors
In Eastern Nepal, many students have benefitted from the REACH program in their schools. To pay it forward and help other children access the eye care they need to succeed, some students have volunteered as vision ambassadors, like Priya and Priyanka.
Interview With Pryia and Priyanka
How did you become vision ambassadors?
The team came and showed us a couple of resources which we looked at. We were told to look at the previous chart and instructed to read it and then asked to hold a second evaluation chart against it.
Can you tell me what you learnt about vision as part of your training?
Priya: We were asked to measure 3 metres and then hold the previous card in the distance and we were asked basically the entire screening process that we are supposed to hold the previous card between the distance 10 feet and we are supposed to hold it against the person who is being screened.
Priyanka: Other than the 10 feet and the 3 metres that we were told to hold we were
also asked to identify certain eye conditions, like certain eye issues.
Why is vision so important?
Priya says: It’s necessary that you have vision otherwise you will not be able to study, you will not be able to go ahead in life and early treatment would help get better for their life.
Priyanka: If you get glasses at the right time you will have avoided blindness, so it’s necessary and also if all the kids get glasses at the right time it will be good for the nation.
Did you enjoy being vision ambassadors; did you like it today?
We are very proud about being vision ambassadors and we really like the fact that we have been chosen for it.
Can I ask Priya: when did you get your glasses?
I got them 2 years ago. I am a mild case myopia.
What difficulties did you have before you got your glasses; when did you notice?
There are 2 things: I would have headaches and then I wouldn’t be able to see objects from a distance which is why I realised I would have to tell my parents. And when I did tell them they said, “We should take you to the doctor,” and they took me to the doctor. And the doctor said, “If you don’t get yourself treated before you turn 20 then this will become irreversible.” So they basically strongly told me that I should wear glasses.
Do you think this kind of programme is good for your school?
Yes, it will be nice for our school. Because there are people with eye problems.
What are you both studying?
Civil engineering.
So you want to be engineers?
Yes
Nepal
Nepal’s diverse terrain – ranging from hot and humid in the south to the snow clad Himalayas in the north – has exacerbated the unequal distribution of infrastructure, equipment and human resources in eye health. As a result much of the population (230k people blind and 1.47m visually impaired) is left without access to quality eye care services.
Nepalese school children sit and learn at Laxman Ganj village school
