The London Supply Group Foundation conducted the ophthalmologic campaign "Para Mirarte Mejor” (to see you better) from August 25th to August 28th in the Educational Area Barrio Primero de Mayo in the city of Puerto Iguazú, Misiones.
The campaign “Para Mirarte Mejor” lasted 4 full days during which ophthalmologists examined the 1500 students that attend the three institutions of the Educational area: The nursery “Madre Teresa de Calcuta”, were children between 45 days and 3 years attend, the Elementary school Escuela Primaria N° 875 “Doña Mercedes García de Taratuty” and the High School Bachillerato Orientado Provincial N° 106 “Don José Taratuty”.
The London Supply Group Foundation that sketched, built and donated to the province this Educational Area and that sponsors it providing daily assistance to the three institutions realized that some students showed difficulties to read and, for this reason, to study. After conducting an investigation with the purpose of finding out the root of this difficulty, the Foundation concluded that the real issue was not reading itself but children’s sight. This situation, in addition to the fact that there are no professionals offering voluntary ophthalmologic services, encouraged the directors of the Foundation to conduct this campaign that will certainly modify not only the present of these children but also their future.
The Government of the Province of Misiones donated a consulting room built on a bus and provided us with the nurses and equipment needed to develop this campaign. In addition, the Foundation took a group of 15 people among which there was a group of ophthalmologists that travelled from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazú with the sole purpose of examining these children.
From the total amount of patients examined, 5% showed different degrees of myopia and astigmatism. All these children will receive adequate treatment and glasses enabling them to see properly and avoid possible future health complications. The London Supply Group Foundation will afford all the expenses that might be incurred because we understand that health and education are priorities in children and the current condition affects both areas.
The campaign was successful, not only because lots of children were examined but also because they were very happy. Moreover, we were gladly thanked by their parents because they told us that in most of the cases this was the first time that a member of the family has the eyes checked by an ophthalmologist.
The Foundation is not only committed to fill the big classrooms that were donated with lots of students but also to provide these children with the adequate comfortable conditions and also to serve them lunch and breakfast or lunch and tea, depending on the shift they attend. In addition, the Foundation wants to share experiences through the workshops and campaigns it organizes with the purpose of helping children find in a musical instrument a new path away from the street and vices and in sports, the concept of cooperation and teamwork. In this way, children are offered the opportunity to enjoy the quality of life they deserve.