Moratuwa residents to get free eyeglasses from Citibank Sri Lanka and SOMS

In line with the 200th anniversary celebrations of Citibank N.A., Citi Sri Lanka together with So Others May See Inc. (SOMS) is launching a vision program to provide free, new, custom-made eyeglasses to working adults and senior citizens in the Moratuwa Egoda Uyana area who cannot afford to purchase these on their own.

The program is being implemented in collaboration with the Moratuwa MOH officer and his staff. Approximately 650 needy individuals will be given free, custom-made eyeglasses based on an individual exam by a qualified optometrist.

Seven optometrists will be present at Sri Sunandopananda Maha Vidyalaya in Egoda Uyana on Saturday 16 June starting at 9 a.m. to conduct eye exams and issue prescriptions.

The eyeglasses would then be made according to the prescriptions and distributed back to recipients in three weeks.

The project is exclusively sponsored by Citi, Sri Lanka and 16th June, 2012 coincides with the Bank’s 200th anniversary. The date also marks Citi’s Global Community Day which is celebrated worldwide. Citi’s Community Day celebrations are an opportunity for Citi staff around the world to engage in varied CSR projects in their respective communities to continue to foster the bank’s ongoing commitment to actively participate in the betterment of its local communities.

The Moratuwa MOH office staff will pre-screen individuals based on the income criteria set by SOMS. SOMS defines a “needy individual” as someone with a monthly household income less than 24,000 rupees.

“Sixty percent of Sri Lankans live in households with income less than twenty four thousand rupees, according to the last income and expenditure survey from the department of census and statistics. The average household size is currently four, and that means about sixty percent of Sri Lankans are living on less than two hundred rupees a day,” said Ashanthi Mathai, Founder and President of SOMS.

“With eyeglasses costing at least three to five thousand rupees at a minimum though typically much more, the majority needing eyeglasses just can’t afford them. Eyesight is fundamental to daily living and it is nice to see corporations choosing a focus such as this, it is a very valuable contribution to someone’s life and the community.”

“We are pleased to partner with SOMS in this important initiative and to bring this program to the Moratuwa area,” said Ravin Basnayake, Country Head & CEO of Citibank. “This project in Moratuwa is a continuation of our efforts in the community in this focus area, where in 2011, we did a similar vision program in Biyagama. Citi employees participated in running the eye clinic on that occasion and had a very meaningful experience.”

On the theme of vision and eyesight, Citibank also partnered with SOMS during the Vesak 2012 season and organised an employee fundraiser to collect money for a second project in Monaragala under the SOMS “Vision for Change” banner.

Citibank employees contributed approximately 130,000 rupees through this effort to “Vision for Change” and the funds were utilized to provide 147 residents in Madulla, Monaragala with eye exams and custom-made eyeglasses.

“We are looking forward to the clinic on June 16th,” says SOMS Program Officer Dr. Saisanathani Pugendran. “We value collaborating and working closely with the local MOH office staff on our projects so that we truly serve the needy in any given area. The MOH office staff will be pre-screening and distributing the blank prescription forms ahead of time to clinic participants. If anyone who meets the income criteria would like to have their eyes examined and get a pair of eyeglasses they could contact us directly or go to the Moratuwa MOH office.”