Recognising that poor or failing vision presents a serious impediment to learning, the Trust decided that early intervention will help to protect or restore sight.

Paul Issa, who runs the Foundation, decided that the time had come to polish the lenses and find a long term view that is helping over 2,500 students from several schools across the country’

“This is an idea whose time has come. While we have great ophthalmologists and opticians in Jamaica, we are nowhere close to Cuba. I hope that through this initiative we will get more volunteers to participate and inspire some of the students to choose that career path. With artificial intelligence and technology moving at the fast-paced clip they are, I think now is a great time to introduce the children to visionary eye care, so that we will be able to claim our place in the future industry, particularly if they will be able to see business opportunities out of it,” he said.

Undiagnosed vision conditions among children is one of the biggest, yet most under-recognized health problems. Vision issues can worsen over time, and with serious consequences as some children struggle not only to see but also to learn, placing them at great disadvantage.

Partnering with the The Issa Trust Foundation' was the Michigan Lion’s Group. Between the two entities  all children received free vision screening and eyeglasses, at no cost.

The following schools participated in the program:

Monday, October 23rd at Rockhouse School

Tuesday, October 24th – Unity Primary School

Wednesday, October 25th - Little London Primary School

Friday, October 27th – Savanna-La-Mar Primary School