Rotary Vision Care Project to Provide Free Eye Screening and Eyeglasses to Children in Manila

The Rotary Club of Manila is proud to join forces with Rotary International District 3810, Rotary International District 3450, and Rotary International District 3310 to deliver much-needed eye care assistance through their joint initiative - the Rotary Vision Care Project. This mission, funded by Global Grant 2344386, will provide children, parents, and educators in fifteen schools in Manila with complimentary eye testing and eyeglasses.

"This Rotary year, the Rotary Club of Manila embarked on a journey in providing eye screening and eyeglasses to 15 schools in Manila. This project is in line with the United Nations' Sustainability Development Goal 3 (SDG3) to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all regardless of age by ensuring that children who may be vision- impaired may enjoy inclusive and equitable quality education; lifelong learning opportunities for all is promoted (SDG4) leading to their productive employment and access to decent work for them to attain sustainable economic growth (SDG6); thus, contributing to ending the threats of extreme poverty to these children (SDG1) and enable them to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition (SDG2)," said Grant Committee Chairman Aries Balanay during the press launch of the Rotary Vision Care Project at Lakbay Museo in Ayala Malls, Paranaque City.

The project will target beneficiaries including children in Day Care Centers (4 to 7 years old), children in elementary schools (8 to 14 years old), parents and teachers (18 years old and above). The 15 school beneficiaries under the School Division of Manila are Isabelo delos Reyes Elementary School, J. P. Rizal Elementary School, Tondo High School, Barrio Obrero Elementary School, Lakan Dula Elementary School, Torres High School, P. Gomez Elementary School, Abad Santos High School, P. Burgos Elementary School, Recto High School, Justo Lukban Elementary School, Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School, Araullo High School, Sta. Ana Elementary School, and Emilio Aguinaldo High School.

"We are excited to offer free eye care services in Manila through the Rotary Vision Care Project, and we would like to express our deepest appreciation for the generous support provided by Rotary International District 3810, Rotary International District 3450, and Rotary International District 3310 for their commitment to the Rotary Vision Care Project. Our shared goal of fostering healthier communities drives us to achieve success together. We look forward to this exciting venture!" said Rotary Club of Manila President Herminio Esguerra.

The Rotary Club of Kowloon East and the Rotary Club of Singapore are international partners on this project, with Physicians for Peace providing a cooperating organization role.

Pres Hermie Esguerra said in his thank you message: "I would like to congratulate our team, Rotary Vision Care Global Grant Project Press Launch for a very successful launching this morning, December 14, 2022, held at the Lakbay Museo Food Wanderer, Ayala Manila Bay Mall in Parañaque City.

The Press Launch was and seamlessly managed by the team:

RCM Global Grant Chairman STAR Rtn. Aries Balanay gave an overview of the global grant project.

Rtn. Lance Tan provided the perfect venue in his museum and was in charge of inviting the press from various broadsheets to cover it.

Rtn. Joey Garcia took charge of the logistics and the food.

-Project Manager and Co-Chair DE/Dir. Albert Alday delivered the invocation.

-VPE/VP Reggie Yu did the presentation and introduced the Rotary Club of Manila to the press by showcasing our various projects.

STAR Rtn. Paul Koh was in charge of relations with Physicians for Peace, one of our cooperators, being a doctor himself.

Rtn. Inov Talusan and DE/AS Mike Albaña lent much-needed moral support through their presence despite their busy schedule.

Our Secretariat led by ES Anna Toledo and EA Amy Babiano ably assisted Rtn. Joey Garcia and Rtn. Lance Li in the logistics.

The public school representatives, DepEd, and our cooperators came in full force. Indeed, this will open the eyes of the public to the Rotary Club of Manila’s role as People of Action.

Again, thanks to all of you for the TEAM effort because - Together - Everyone - Achieves - More. Congratulations again for a job well done! Cheers!"

Program Moderator Rtn. Joey Garcia started the program with an Invocation led by Dir. Albert Alday, that was followed by the Singing of the Philippine National Anthem. Moderator Rtn. Joey Garcia introduced the host of the event, Rtn. Lawrence Li Tan. Opening Marks by Pres. Hermie Esguerra was followed by a presentation of a snapshot of the history, institutional projects, and Rotary Area of Focus projects by VP Reggie Yu.

Project partners – PDG Lyne Abanilla, Department of Education USec Edel Carag and DepEd Focal person for SDO Manila, Mr. Aaron Tolentino share their message of acknowledgement and hope that this global grant will only be the first initiative that will allow more service opportunities to follow.