KUALA LUMPUR: Eco World Foundation has taken another step forward in fulfilling its stated objective of addressing the needs of underprivileged children holistically. In its latest efforts to assist those in need, the Foundation has embarked on a pilot programme to sponsor eye check-ups and spectacles for students in six schools in the Klang Valley.

The objective of the programme, which is a collaboration with the Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital (THONEH) and its foundation arm – THONEH Foundation, is to raise awareness and reduce avoidable blindness amongst primary school children.

At the handing over ceremony at SK Sungai Besi, Eco World Foundation Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the Foundation was delighted to be able to extend assistance beyond the Foundation’s core projects. “The Foundation is always receptive to new ideas and new ways of providing assistance to needy children which is why we did not hesitate to take part in this noble pilot programme when THONEH approached us.” said Lee.

THONEH began the eye check-ups for the 2,045 students from the six schools back in July and have identified 139 students that are in need of the spectacles aid. In total, the Foundation contributed approximately RM18,000.

Lee added that this programme is extended to the other students in the six schools who are not under the Foundation’s Students Aid Programme (SAP). ”We are truly elated to be able to reach out to the other students through this programme and we are looking to extend this to other schools moving forward as well,” Lee said.

The six schools receiving aid are listed below:

SK Sungai Besi

SK Jalan Sungai Besi 1

SJK(C) St Teresa

SJK(C) Yuk Chyun

SJK(T) Sentul dan

SJK(T) Thamboosamy Pillai

Apart from the SAP, Lee shared that the Foundation has also embarked on a new programme to help children from the Orang Asli communities earlier this year.

The programme, known as Empowered2Teach (E2T), aims to provide greater access to pre-school education for Orang Asli children. The programme is driven by Persatuan Kebajikan Suara Kanak-Kanak Malaysia (SUKA Society) through the Social Impact Exchange initiatives of Agensi Inovasi Malaysia.

Through E2T, Orang Asli teachers are given the tools, resources and encouragement to become leaders for education in their communities. Consistent guidance, monitoring and support is provided to the teachers and community pre-schools to ensure the children are given opportunities to learn.

Also present at the handing over ceremony was Eco World Foundation CEO Captain (Retired) Dato’ Liew Siong Sing, Eco World Foundation Board of Trustee Philip Mathews and SK Sungai Besi Headmaster Mohd Muzamir Bin Mohd Yusof.