15 Aug 2016

As Botswana turns 50 years, Botswana Hindu Society (BHS) found it fit to be part of the celebrations by offering free eye screening and provision of spectacles.

The activity which was organised for the community of Gakgatla to both young and old and was held in Gaborone on August 14.

Speaking during  the screening programme, the high commissioner of India, Mr Ketan Shukla said BHS has done a good work to offer free screening and free spectacles to the communit

He said it was a commendable work since the country was celebrating its 50 years of independence and BHS was continuing its noble cause of community service which was serving to God.

The project coordinator, Mr Harish Pathak said the aim of the project was to improve the sight of local community through the provision of free eye screening and glasses.

Mr Pathak noted that according to WHO, about 65 percent of people who were visually impaired were aged 50 years and above, while an estimated 19 million children were visually impaired.

Some of the impairments were due to uncorrected refractive errors that could  be easily diagnosed and corrected.

He explained that a single pair of glasses could transform the life of someone living without access to basic eye care.

Therefore, he said the gesture would help improve the eye health of Gakgatla residents. 

“Today we expected to render service to more than 100 people of all age and sex. The approximate budget is P40 000 including the cost of transport to and from the village to Gaborone,” he said.

Mr Pathek indicated that eye screening would be done by qualified optometrists and provision of spectacles would be done in two weeks’ time to all those in need.

In his Remarks, Kgosi Lenyetse Moshapa of Gakgatla expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the society of Hindu, adding that BHS had done a great job since the Bible noted that a blessed hand is the one that gives. 

BHS is a other non-governmental organisation, which is run by volunteers with the basic aim of enhancing religious and cultural activities.

Also, it engages in charitable works like donating food hampers and clothing to the needy. ENDS