Lions Clubs International sponsor the worldwide collection and distribution of used spectacles to third world countries . The World Health Organization estimate that more than 150 million people have uncorrected refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism). Most of these vision impairments are quickly diagnosed and easy to treat with corrective lenses.

Still, millions of people in developing nations are pushed deeper into poverty simply because they don’t have glasses. They can’t learn, because reading is difficult. They can’t work to the best of their ability, because they can’t see clearly.  For children, clear vision means a better education, healthier development and a better quality of life.  For adults, it means greater employment opportunity and economic strength. For seniors it means less dependence on others.

The Lions of District 133 Ireland collect and recycle thousands of pairs of spectacles each year for distribution to the Third World. We are not interested in the cases but just the spectacles broken or unbroken. The lenses are most important and if the frames are intact that is an added bonus.  Spectacles collected by the Lions Clubs of District 133 Ireland are transported to Medico Lions Clubs de France in Le Havre for sorting and grading before shipping to third world countries.  The Lions Club will then pack the spectacles into boxes and label appropriately for shipping. The boxes are then shipped to France by DPD couriers, free of charge. 

ARDCLOUGH USED SPECTACLES COLLECTION

If you have any old Spectacles lying around at home and you would like to put them to very good use, please RECYCLE them and help to bring sight to those in need.  You can drop them into a box at any of the following places during the month of MARCH  - Just glasses please-no boxes!

• Buggy’s Shop    (Susan Buggy)
• Ardclough Church    (Patricia King)
• Ardclough GAA Club    (Noel Burke)
• St Anne’s N.S.      (Elaine Dunne)
• Village Centre   (Tony Carton  , Joanna Byrne)

Thanks for your help everyone. 

Patricia King.  ( 087 6373735)