Blindfolded dinner in the dark to mark World Sight Day

DOHA: As World Sight Day 2016 is being marked today with Qatar Creating Vision, an initiative supported by Qatar Fund for Development and Orbis UK,  organising a blindfolded-dinner to encourage the diners to discover their senses.

“Oryx Rotana will be hosting a Blindfolded Dinner in the dark tomorrow (today) evening to celebrate the day which will take attendees on a journey, encouraging diners to discover their senses and experience the world around them,” said Florence Branchu, Head of Qatar Creating Vision, in a telephone interview with The Peninsula.

Qatar Creating Vision, launched last year has set a target of providing 5.5 million eye screenings and treatments to children in India and Bangladesh over the next four years.

“One year has passed since the initiative was launched and in the remaining three years we will meet the target of treating 5.5 million children with the support of the Qatari government,” said Branchu.

Branchu said that Qatar Creating Vision’s ambit of action was only India and Bangladesh.

“In Qatar we are running awareness campaign only to make people realize how great was the blessing of having an eye sight,” she said, adding that the initiative was being funded by Qatar Fund for Development. Qatar Creating Vision had some other partners as well.

“If some person or organisation wants to support the initiative through donations, they can make donations to Qatar Charity which is also our partner in this cause,” she said, adding that recent campaign run by Qatar Creating Vision was just an awareness campaign and not a fundraising activity.

“Some of the schools in Qatar have also organised a blindfolded lunch to raise awareness on preventable blindness in the developing world. So, we are encouraging people to get involved and follow Qatar Creating Vision on social media, to find out how they can be part of our story too,” she added.

Today, Doha College students from primary (year 4 and older) and secondary levels will participate in a blindfolded lunch in support of the World Sight Day, announced Doha College on its official Facebook page yesterday.

To mark the day, Magrabi Optical will be offering free eye tests for the residents from October 13 to October 15. Magrabi Optical will also offer discounted follow up services from Thursday to Saturday evening.

According to data provided by Qatar Creating Vision, 50% of childhood blindness can be treated or prevented. In India and Bangladesh there are approximately 473,000 blind children and half of them could see again with improved access to eye care. Providing access to eye health services is vital; without early intervention many children are forced to give up their education, which can lead to isolation and a life time of poverty.

The important work undertaken by Qatar Creating Vision initiative will ensure that those whose futures are disrupted and uncertain, are provided with the support they need - unlocking a brighter future, not constricted by a preventable health condition.