As a sighted person, can you imagine going through life without the ability to see?

Many people, including children, in developing countries around the world struggle with this problem on a daily basis, and have very few resources to counteract blindness or reduced vision.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the largest country in Africa, is ranked 163 of 173 countries on the United Nation's Human Development Index. From 1998 to 2003 the country suffered a devastating war, the world's deadliest conflict since World War II. The conflict devastated the economy and crippled the health care system.

Now there are more than 750,000 in the DRC believed to be blind, and there are only 58 ophthalmologists, mostly in the capital city area, to serve the eye care needs of 62 million residents. Lions through the Lions Clubs International Foundation are now assisting with a four-year project to increase ophthalmic training and surgical services in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Eyeglasses are an expensive necessity for those who struggle to survive. Texas' Sight II program has a sophisticated collection and sorting program for used eyeglasses, whereby each lens prescription is identified, logged, and packed for distribution to areas in need. Shipments are then made to countries where severe needs are identified and distributed by doctors requesting prescriptions from a central location. We also assist local residents in Henderson County with vision needs following an evaluated request to our club.

WE NEED YOUR USED LENS, FRAMES AND CASES! Chandler Lions continually collect used glasses, including frames, lens and cases. All frames and lens are reusable.

Collection boxes are in numerous locations throughout the East Henderson County area, including most churches, Copeland's Pharmacy, Brookshire's Grocery Store, God's Open Hands Ministry locations, and other businesses where you see a Gold and Purple Lions Club collection box on display.

THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING THIS SPECIAL LIONS PROJECT, AND FOR DONATING YOUR UNUSABLE GLASSES. If you are aware of a need for a collection box, please ask us for one.

We welcome visitors interested in learning about our numerous humanitarian projects and becoming involved in rewarding projects to help our neighbors.

Regular meetings are 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm, at Chandler Community Center.