Alek Sims was the guest speaker for our dinner Meeting 20 July 2023, he spoke about his trip to West Nepal near the Indian border, as an Optician, he spoke to us late March before he went to Nepal to explain that he was part of a team that goes to Nepal to volunteer their time helping those with vision issues.
The team was compiled of professionals, students and Volunteers (mainly Rotarians) from Australia along with Volunteers and Professionals from Nepal. The Volunteers from Nepal were Interpreters, cooks, people to organise the camp etc.
The Rotary Club of Banke, Bardiya & Kailali was heavily involved.
Alek is a local Optometrist who has donated his time to take part in the trip which was a fully self-funded and Rotary facilitates the project.
While there, they screened over 8,000 people, adults and children. 4,933 received glasses and 323 Cataract surgeries where organised to be carried out in local facilities.
The Rotary Club of Whyalla made a donation to the Project and we received a Plaque and Certificate of Appreciation from that Rotary Club as our donation paid for 19 Cataract Surgeries.
Following is the URL for part of the trip, it is very good to watch to see what actually happens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uut6VwpQZ_0
This is an amazing undertaking by Alek, it is two weeks of a lot of work in difficult conditions.
Area Govenor Leanne Herd presents Alek with a thank you gift for his very enjoyable and informative presentation.
Alek presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Club President Brian Herd for the Club's donation to the trip which allowed 19 Caract surgeries to be carried out.
Photo of the Certificate of Appreciation from the Rotary Club of Banke, Bardiya & Kailali in Nepal of the donation.