Twenty-one students from two secondary schools in Georgetown are now the recipients of free spectacles from Courts Optical, as part of the company’s ‘Brighter View Campaign,’ which was launched at its Main Street branch yesterday.
For each of the students, 19 of whom are from St Rose’s and two from St Mary’s High, the process began by filling out an application sent to the schools by Courts Optical.
Free vision screening was then done at the respective schools.
Upon selection of the students, a letter of consent was sent to the parents for permission to conduct follow-up eye examinations, which were done at Courts’ Main Street branch. The students were then allowed to choose a frame of their choice for the spectacles.
After receiving their free spectacles, all the students expressed their gratitude to Courts Optical.
Following yesterday’s launch, Courts Optical will be visiting schools countrywide, as part of its plans to donate 250 free pairs of spectacles to students or teachers, who may be in dire need of glasses.
According to Digital Marketing Officer Roberta Ferguson, the company is targeting students from ages 11 to 18, and will be working with the various schools to identify students who are most in need and less able to afford the spectacles.
In addition, this newspaper was told that while the company has already shortlisted a few schools, other schools interested in benefitting from the programme can contact the nearest Courts Optical Branch, after which visits to those schools would be arranged.
Courts Optical also planned to target orphanages across the country with the programme but found that children in those institutions were under the age of eleven and decided not to continue towards that path.
In a press release, Courts Optical, which has been in existence for the past four years, says that it has made a commitment to transforming the eye care sector in Guyana by helping those in need.
It says it currently offers free comprehensive eye examinations and has also partnered with furniture giant Courts through a corporate initiative where two optometry students of the University of Guyana can win scholarships each year.
According to the release, these initiatives mark only the beginning of a campaign which is hoped will be successful and grow in the future.
