Optical Programme

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WJR's Optical Programme was established to supply that most precious capability, good eyesight, to those who would otherwise have to go without.

The programme supports communities in eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, such as Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus, where huge numbers are struggling to live below the poverty line, and items such as glasses, which we consider a necessity, become an unobtainable luxury.

Good eyesight can be the difference between a life, however difficult, that is still enjoyable and fulfilling and absolute misery. By offering spectacles as gifts in kind, WJR helps to relieve the budgets of those on low incomes.

In total, more than 3,000 spectacles were sent out during the 2008/9 year. They were sent to nine communities across the Former Soviet Union and eastern Europe, as well as Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

One reason why WJR is particularly proud of the Optical Programme is because it is entirely volunteer lead. Retired opticians Harry Heber and David Goldman work from WJR's offices in London to ensure the programme continues to provide thousands of spectacles to those in need.

Harry negotiates special rates with suppliers of frames and lenses to secure as many spectacles as possible that can be sent for as little as possible, maximising the impact of a donation to the programme. He also organises the entire mechanism for getting spectacles to our clients.

The programme begins in the communities where clients bring the optical prescriptions to one of WJR's community centres who then send the form on to Harry. They also send information to him concerning the client's age, gender and other details.

This information enables our volunteers to see whether we have the appropriate spectacles in stock or whether we need to order them. We send a pair of frames to an optical laboratory to have the appropriate lenses inserted. They are then sent back to WJR's office and then sent on to the appropriate community centre.