For Immediate Release
August 21, 2012

HAYASTAN ALL-ARMENIAN FUND COMPLETES EYECARE PROJECT ACROSS 21 COMMUNITIES IN ARMENIA’S SHIRAK REGION

Over 1,100 children and seniors provided with eye exams and prescription glasses

NEW YORK, New York — The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, in collaboration with the French-Armenian Doctors’ Association, completed a large-scale eye care project throughout the 21 rural communities of Ashotsk, an area in Armenia’s Shirak Region.

During the project, which was carried out from August 12 to 17 through mobile clinics, 262 children of preschool and school age were given eye exams and prescription glasses. The comprehensive tests were administered by ophthalmologists from the French-Armenian Doctors’ Association and using advanced ophthalmic equipment and instruments. The prescription glasses were produced onsite and fitted by teams of optical technicians who had accompanied the doctors to Armenia.

Parents of patients throughout Ashotsk spoke of the critical need for expert eye care in their communities, and had high praise for the effectiveness and convenience of the project. “What a wonderful experience this has been,” one parent commented. “Our children received eye exams right here in the village, and then were provided with prescription glasses.”

The initiative also benefited a large number of senior citizens in the area. Based on preliminary check-ups conducted by nurses across the villages of Ashotsk, 861 seniors underwent eye exams and received prescription glasses.

ARMENIA FUND USA: founded in 1992, was one of the first of “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund’s 20 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents, supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.