YALI Network Edo, Collaborates Govt, Osemede Foundation, VisionSpring Benin, On Free Eye Screening, Glasses
….Earmarks over 700 Glasses for residents
By Simeon OSAJIE
A group on the umbrella body of YALI Network Edo, has teamed up with the state government, through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, VisionSpring Benin and the Ose-Mode Centre to give free eye screening to residents of Edo South senatorial district of the state.
Besides the free screening, the group also doled out free medicated glasses and drugs to the residents of the state.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the free medical outreach and eye camp at the Urhokpota Hall in Oredo Local Government Area of the state, the coordinator of the outreach, Miss Chinye Patrick-Biose, said that the organization decided to flag off the programme at the heartbeat of the state, which is Oredo in Edo South senatorial district before going to Edo Central and Edo North, respectively.
She said that over two hundred beneficiaries would benefit from the free medical outreach for a start while targeting over seven hundred beneficiaries across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The coordinator, while speaking on the motivating factor behind what YALI Network Edo is doing, said “The motivating factor behind YALI Network Edo’s involvement is a philosophy of “love your neighbour as yourself.”
“YALI Network Edo is a youth-led organization of passionate individuals who want to give back to society and focus on what they can do for the community, rather than what the community can do for them”,.
The deputy Coordinator, YALI Network Edo, Aiyemonase Oreoluwa Abidemi, said, the organization is an initiative that focuses on providing assistance, particularly concerning eye-related issues, to the community.
She described YALI Network Edo’s coordinator as a “wonderful critical thinker”, always putting the needs of the people first.
Also speaking, Mrs. Adesuwa Ekengbuda, co-founder, Ose-mode Center for Children, Women and Youth Empowerment, one of the YALI Network Edo’s co-partners, said that they have realized that due to the present economic reality that is bitting hard on Nigerians, most of them can barely take care of their day-to-day need let alone having the funds to go for check ups.
She said based on that, they have decided to make the free medical outreach available for them so that, they can leverage on it to have a healthy eyesight and better their lives.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Jonathan Idiahi, who spoke on behalf of others, commended YALI Network Edo and its partners for coming to their assistance at this critical time.
He said the money they would have spent on glasses and drugs has been saved and can be used for other purposes.
Mr. Idiahi thanked the organizers and pray that God should continue to provide for them so that they can reach out to others who are in need.
Earlier, acting chairman, Oredo LGA, Dr. Osaheni Igbinigie, urged the citizens of the state to take advantage of the golden opportunity to have their eyes examined and get recommendations if need be.
She commended the NGO for partnering the state government to render free medical services to the people.
Dr. Igbinigie further lauded the state government for deciding to partner YALI Network Edo and other organizations that have teamed up with them just as she commended the daughter of the Benin monarch for supporting the initiative.
