ICEE team members, Jane Kierath and Naomi Freuden recently travelled to Sri Lanka to recruit Vision Technicians that will one day drive the eye care in their communities.

Vision Technicians are at the core of an ICEE model to deliver primary eye care, refraction services and affordable spectacles to communities in Sri Lanka.

“Getting the word out in communities in Sri Lanka kept challenging our creativity. We posted advertisements in temples, post offices and markets and delivered flyers by tuk-tuk to get the message out. But the greatest success came from local curiosity. Word of mouth was on our side--locals spread the word about us on the streets,” said Naomi.

Of those who applied, 11 future Vision Technicians were selected. Successful applicant, Menaka Samanmali Malavitais, is a young woman from a poor family who has always helped those in need in the community. Menaka is committed to her future in eye care, “Having the chance to help a person see the world” will be the best part of becoming a Vision Technician. ICEE purpose is to help others, my purpose is also to help others,” she said.

Successful applicants will travel to the LV Prasad Eye Institute in India for training. The course will provide them with the skills necessary to perform refraction, detect and refer potentially damaging eye diseases, as well as dispense spectacles. The technicians will then work within local Vision Centres to provide ongoing primary eye care to the local community.