Algarve sets its sights on Cambodia

7th February, 2009

Villagers in Cambodia are benefitting from cast-off spectacles from the Algarve, Portugal and beyond, through a unique project established by Dr. A. Rahmani of Loulé-based opticians Optica Orbita, and several of his colleagues from his homeland, Germany.

For 12 years now the optometrists have been collecting unwanted, unusable or unsold glasses, which at their own expenses are fixed up, cleaned, and personally escorted to villages in Cambodia.

Travel expenses come out of the doctors’ own pocket, and at times glasses are transported in suitcases, to ensure they reach their destination.

To start with, only basic equipment was taken along to test villagers’ eyes, though over the years this has become more sophisticated and travel-dynamic, some of it donated by manufacturers of eye-technology.

The idea to donate secondhand spectacles to the needy in Cambodia came about through a German-speaking Cambodian colleague of Dr. Rahmani’s.

There are now six European optometrists who participate in this project, Dr. Rahmani being the only one in Portugal, the others being located in Germany. They take it in turns to travel to Cambodia, every other year, sometimes more regularly, and never cease to be amazed by the enthusiasm and energy with which they are received.

“Entire villages come out to have their eyes tested”, explained Dr. Rahmani, who last went to Cambodia five years ago and spent two months there.

“They don’t care about the colour or the model of glasses, they are just happy to have them. They welcome us into their homes, and even though they may not have much food for themselves they always invite us to share their meals and bring us food”.

For some of the villagers – those who can read – the cast-off glasses are their only way of keeping abreast with global affairs, as with no televisions in the vicinity, reading newspapers and books is their only contact with the ‘outside’ world.

“Glasses that to us no longer have meaning, and are no longer wanted, to the Cambodia villagers have huge meaning”, he said.

Evermore stringent immigration bureaucracy is the only setback the doctors’ encounter. Exempt of fees, as all the glasses are secondhand, they are still subject to complex paperwork. That and the fact fewer people are donating glasses.

“We are not going this year as we do not have enough glasses in stock to justify the journey”, Dr. Rahmani explained, “But we hope we will be able to go next year”.

If you have a pair of unused or unsuitable glasses that you could donate to help Optica Orbita’s Cambodia cause, call Optica Orbita on tel/fax: (+351) 289 411 777, mobile: 913 399 647, or see website: www.opticaorbita.com.

Alternatively, drop them off at The Portugal News offices in Lagoa. Call 282 341 100 for directions.