For S.Y. 2010-2011, ABC Foundation conducted 5 Eyeglass Projects – the most we’ve ever done in one school year. This was made possible by different organizations that support this very effective outreach program. With the help of the Rotary Club of Makati, the Manila St. Andrew’s Society and Springboard Foundation, we were able to help 1,004 elementary students in Parañaque and Caloocan City public schools see better by providing them with free prescription eyeglasses.
Elementary student recipients of free prescription eyeglasses.
The ABC Eyeglass Project was first conducted in 2001 at ERDA Tech., the technical high school of ERDA Foundation. With the help of school nurse Ms. Minda Moncog and a team of optometrists headed by Dr. Jeson Viñas, ABC Foundation was able to provide its first 200 pairs of eyeglasses to the high school students of ERDA Tech. in Pandacan, Manila.
Chairman Lew Edwards with Fr. Pierre Tritz, SJ and 200 eyeglass recipients at ERDA Tech, Pandacan, Manila.
In S.Y. 2001-2002 alone, ABC Foundation provided 1,600 pairs of eyeglasses to the high school and elementary students of 8 public schools in the poor communities of Pandacan, Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan City and Pasay City.
Eyeglass recipients from Araullo High School, Manila.
Since then, we’ve conducted our Eyeglass Projects with Dr. Viñas twice a school year, visiting public high schools or elementary schools in communities around Metro Manila where quality health and eye care are not accessible to poor families.
We have brought our Eyeglass Projects to public schools in Quezon City, Caloocan City, Pasay City, Manila, etc., and in 5 schools in the neighboring provinces of Batangas, Bulacan and Nueva Ecijia.
Elementary student recipients from San Isidro Elementary School, Nueva Ecija.
Ten years after starting our Eyeglass Project with Ms. Minda Moncog at ERDA Tech., we have been able to help more students by providing more prescription eyeglasses to those in need, thanks to the growing number of donors interested in the program.
In the last 10 years, we have visited 28 elementary and high schools in 12 different cities/towns, and have provided over 6,200 pairs of prescription eyeglasses to needy but very deserving students.
Eyeglass recipients from Kalayaan Elementary School, Paranaque City.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to Dr. Jeson Viñas, Ms. Anne Viñas and to their friends and staff members who have helped with the project over the years, for their hard work and dedication to the Eyeglass Project. They are a joy to work with, and we are very fortunate to have them in our ABC Family.
Dr. Jeson Viñas and Ms. Anne Viñas with eyeglass recipients from Sto. Niño Elemenetary School, Parañaque City.
