Vision Aid Overseas in Chitambo
1st Jul 2019
Penicuik Optometrist, Laura Bennett (pictured), is travelling to Chitambo District in August 2019, with a team from Vision Aid Overseas (VAO).
It’s quite a story. FoCh Trustee, Richard Vallis, first met Zambian VAO Country Manager, Karen Edwards, through doing a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Disability and Global Health. Karen was due to come to Edinburgh, Scotland, and met up with Richard and FoCH Chair, Jo Vallis. She kindly transported vital emergency care textbooks to Zambia for use at Chitambo, in relation to our Scottish Government grant-funded project on ‘Strengthening emergency care communications'. A rapport was struck.
Coincidentally, Jo Vallis joined RC Cunnings Optometry practice, Penicuik, Scotland, as a patient: https://twitter.com/rccunning.
She soon discovered that resident Optometrist, Laura Bennett, volunteers with VAO, including in Zambia. The result is that VAO will offer a two-week eye camp in Chitambo District: one week at Chitambo Hospital and a second week within the district. The Chitambo team is excited about this opportunity, which will be of great value in an area where there is little available sight testing and screening. We'll keep you updated with news from the visit later in the year!