SIBU – Twenty-eight residents from the Rantau Panjang longhouse community have received free spectacles following an eye screening initiative aimed at helping them improve their vision for everyday activities.
The spectacles were handed over to eligible recipients at Rumah Suria Amat on Monday, following eye examinations conducted earlier through a community outreach programme.
Bawang Assan Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Branch chairman Kevin Lau Kor Jie said the initiative demonstrated the practical benefits that could be delivered through continued community engagement.
He said he was encouraged to see assistance provided through the Leaders with the People programme extended beyond the initial eye examinations to include spectacles for residents identified as requiring them.
“This is a very practical form of community service, and we greatly appreciate the concern and continuous contribution of the Sibu Bawang Assan Lions Club to the community,” he said.
“The Lions Club not only provides free eye examinations to residents but also continues to follow up after the examinations and provide free glasses,” he added.
The eye screening was carried out by the Sibu Bawang Assan Lions Club under its SightFirst Project during the Leaders with the People programme organised by the Jalan Quarry Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) at the end of July.
Following the examinations and subsequent assessments, 28 residents were identified as eligible for spectacles.
The club then arranged for the glasses to be provided according to the results of the individual eye examinations, allowing recipients to receive corrective eyewear suited to their identified vision needs.
The initiative represents a continuation of the community support provided through the eye screening programme, linking the initial assessment with follow-up assistance for residents who required corrective glasses.
Kevin said the Leaders with the People programme also served a broader purpose by creating opportunities for residents to engage directly with leaders and community organisations.
He said the programme could help organisations gain a clearer understanding of issues faced by residents while allowing them to offer assistance according to their areas of expertise and available resources.
“This programme provides an opportunity for various organisations to interact directly with residents, understand their real needs and provide assistance based on their respective expertise and resources,” he said.
The involvement of the Lions Club provided a health-related component to the outreach programme, with the SightFirst Project focusing on eye examinations and subsequent support for residents requiring spectacles.
For the recipients, the provision of free glasses offers practical assistance that can make routine activities more comfortable and improve their ability to see clearly.
The handover also highlighted the role of community organisations in following up on needs identified through outreach activities rather than limiting assistance to one-off screenings.
The initiative brought together local representatives, community organisers and the Lions Club in providing support to residents of the Rantau Panjang community.
The programme also demonstrates how community engagement activities can serve as a link between residents and organisations with specialised resources, allowing assistance to be directed towards specific needs identified at the grassroots level.
