Hoya helps set up glazing lab in Ethiopia

Vision Aid Overseas is to establish a glazing workshop in Ethiopia in February 2003 with the help of Hoya Lens UK.
The Wrexham-based lens firm has donated some £100,000-worth of equipment to start the lab at Grarbet Ledekuman, a clinic in Butajira that deals with polio victims, epileptics and people with eye problems.
Hoya's manager of cut, edge and glazing, Dave Walker, who has refurbished the glazing and edging machinery, is giving up two weeks' holiday along with three other Hoya staff to set up the laboratory. The company is financing the trip.
Mr Walker explained that on setting up the workshop, the UK team would train the workers in maintaining and repairing the equipment, as well as teaching glazing skills and lens theory.
VAO director Tym Marsh, who has just returned from a visit to the clinic in Ethiopia, said that the country had tremendous eye care needs and the workshop would provide a service to a population of 800,000.
VAO also plans to supply the workshop with frames and lenses. 'We are determined to revisit at least once a year,' said Mr Marsh.
'One of the other aims is to set up an optometry clinic next door, so the site will be able offer the full range of optical services. It is well within VAO's ability to set up optometry in Ethiopia.'
Mr Marsh made a plea for lens supplies at the FMO annual luncheon last week, and can be contacted on 01293 535016.