Orbis launched its near two-month long annual Action for Sight fundraising and advocacy campaign on Thursday, with this year themed “Share the Joy of Sight”.
The campaign is organised by Orbis Macau coinciding with World Sight Day, which is observed annually on the second Thursday of October.
According to a statement provided at Thursday’s launch event at the Bank of China (Macau) Ho Lan Yuen branch, the campaign aims to “inspire people to appreciate the small but certain happiness in life often made possible by healthy vision” and to spread the message of #LoveYourEyes through campaign events.
The campaign features an online quiz that highlights the potential damage of UV ray exposure and ways to protect and prevent premature ageing of one’s eyes, with data to be collected until November 24, with results to be presented during a Health Talk on December 6.
Moreover, an exhibition is being held at the Bank of China (Macau) Ho Lan Yuen branch throughout the campaign introducing the non-governmental organisation (NGO), their sight-saving work, along with providing helpful eye health and care information, inviting members of the public to learn more.
Speaking with the Post after the launch, Orbis Macau Director of Development Isabel da Silva stressed that aside from raising funds for the NGO’s sight-saving programmes and sustainable training, advocacy initiatives are another important aspect of the campaign.
This involves encouraging people to take care of their eye health and adding eye checks to their annual health regimen, pointing out that there might often be “certain instances or conditions that you might not be aware of, but it’s better to find out earlier on so that it can be cured or treated”.
Da Silva also highlighted Orbis’ work and mission, and the importance of training, noting that a lot of low-and middle-income countries have insufficient resources to allow for eye care, let alone more specialised ones that certain visual impairments might need.
“Our mission is to ensure that there will be quality eye care available to more people so that they can thrive because with sight, you’ll be able to work, study, and then contribute to your community and look after your family”.
Surgery is one part of Orbis’ sight saving programmes, but the core part of it is training, da Silva pointed out, adding that the NGO invests a lot into their ability to train more people to provide more long-lasting impact because “performing a surgery, it’s a very immediate help that you can offer someone. But if you train up more eye care teams, then you will enable them to continue to help their communities after we have left the country or the city”.
One can support Orbis through donations and throughout the campaign, which will feature a series of promotional, advocacy and fundraising activities throughout the city during its run. More information on the campaign can be found on www.orbis.org .
Orbis Macau Director of Development Isabel da Silva poses after the launch ceremony of the two-month long annual Action for Sight fundraising and advocacy campaign. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
This photo shows a model of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital displayed at the exhibition at the Bank of China (Macau) Ho Lan Yuen branch.
This photo shows some of the information displayed for the exhibition at the Bank of China (Macau) Ho Lan Yuen branch throughout the campaign.
