Opticians set sights on helping People near Hawassa
An optician and lab technician from Ellesmere Port travel to Ethiopia this week to give vital aid to people who don’t have access to eyecare. Optometrist Alex Whitter and lab technician Mike Horsefield, who both work in the Ellesmere Port Specsavers store, will be travelling to villages near Hawassa to give much-needed eye tests and glasses to the locals. They aim to test at least 1,200 people. Working with Vision Aid Overseas (VAO), they will also be helping to train optometry students at Hawassa University. Another item on their agenda is to teach individuals to make their own glasses, to help the locals become self-sufficient and improve the level of eyecare in the area. This will be Alex’s sixth trip with the charity, and he is the team leader of the group, which consists of five optometrists from all over the UK. Mike will be glazing and dispensing the glasses. The visit will be Matt’s first VAO trip to Ethiopia and he is being sponsored by Specsavers. Store direct