By Karen McDaniels | Project Leader
It all began with Bagas. A six-year-old boy, living in the trash picker community in Jakarta, Indonesia, who would squint his eyes all the time.
XSProject’s General Manager, Retno, heard about him and took him to have his eyes examined. Bagas is severely visually impaired but with his new eyeglasses, he is now experiencing a world he has never before seen. Earlier this month, Bagas entered the first grade under XSProject’s XSEducation Scholarship Fund.
According to The World Health Organization, Indonesia has the second highest rate of blindness in the world. The Indonesian Ministry of Health and the WHO are working on a plan to reduce blindness, but the children of XSProject can’t wait.
Eye problems are common among people living at garbage dumps. The smoke from burning garbage pollutes the air and stings their eyes. A trash picker's eyes are further compromised by poor nutrition and lack of essential minerals in their diet.
Before the school year started, XSProject asked a local health clinic, RSIA Lestari to come to the community and give eye exams to forty students. Almost all of them need eyeglasses. Their need is urgent and XSProject is currently working to provide prescription eyeglasses to all the students but our funds are running out quickly.
Please enjoy this little video of the kids receiving their eye exams.
http://youtu.be/I5NMrg0keNI
Your donation of $30 will provide prescription eyeglasses for two students.
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