Vision Aid Overseas Zambia 2016 - Monica Pun

Ever since my volunteer expedition to Tanzania in 2007, I knew it was only the start of my journey with Africa. And here I go again. Giving myself yet another challenge, February next year I'll be taking my training and optometry skills from Sydney to Zambia with Vision Aid Overseas! WHY VAO? There are so many eye charities out there, some great and some not so great. But VAO is great because put simply, their solutions are sustainable. VAO work in 3 effective ways which are dedicated to transforming access to eye care in developing countries: vision centres, outreach programs and training plans. And so being an Optometrist from the U.K, a VAO trip was a must at least once in my professional career! WHY ZAMBIA? Sight problems are one of the top ten factors affecting the health of Zambians. There are about 3 million people in Zambia who have uncorrected eye focus problems, i.e. are in need of a pair of glasses to correct their vision. VAO work closely with Zambians in a variety of ways which I really love. MORE ABOUT MY PROJECT Week 1 and 2: Outreach and Training - I'll be using my optometry skills to prescribe glasses and examine the eyes of local Zambian people in remote areas, schools and villages. It's amazing to know that this will have a direct impact on their quality of life. I'll also be educating local people about eye conditions/protection and training local eye care workers to get their practical skills up to scratch. Week 3 and 4: Teaching and Training- If Zambia is transforming to become self-sufficient in eye care services, there needs to be enough trained and skilled staff to do the job. Well I'll be helping to do that exactly by teaching optics and optometry at Chainama College in Lusaka in my last two weeks. I'll be providing all the high level training that's needed to make these eye care professionals absolute stars! WHAT HAPPENS AFTER? I know that when I leave Zambia the local people and eye care workers will be adequately trained to save sight. They will proudly continue to run the eye care services themselves in their own local towns. I am positive that my one month of services will contribute to a long term and sustainable solution for the health of local Zambians! WHAT NOW? ****I would love for you to support me**** Your support would be much appreciated through any donation can you offer. Your funds will go directly to my outreach and training project in Zambia with VAO.