Couple of 53 years among 166 benefitting from free spectacles in Reg 1

Husband and wife of 53 years, Ivan and Juliet Bennet were among 166 persons from Region One (BarimaWaini) who received free tested spectacles from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, through the Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU).

A team from the Ministry, led by subject Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, visited the communities of Mabaruma and Moruca on Friday to provide these spectacles to those in need, particularly children, pensioners, and single parents.

The elderly woman, Juliet, related, “It was chal- lenging [without spectacles].

I’m not young to work anymore and depending on old age pension so I can’t afford it. It is going to improve my life because although I am old, I am doing needlework, making pillow case, table cloth and so on and these spectacles will help me to see the needle eye because I punish to thread the needle so it would help me every way and when I go to church it would help me to read because I couldn’t read without it.”

Her husband, Ivan, noted, “For me, I am happy, we used to get visits from the doctors and they didn’t come in a very long time, then was the first time I got my eyes checked and I got spectacles that didn’t last very long and I am happy the Ministry came in because we had to travel out two or three times if we wanted to get. I must thank the Ministry for these spectacles, I am happy to be able to see very clearly.”

Minister Persaud said, “It is all about making sure that you have good vision, so you are able to study harder and better and be able to do all the work you want to do, especially if it involves reading.”