“Now it’s clearer,” retired Maria Rosa, 71, of the Seminary area in Chapeco/S.C., said when she received her new glasses on Friday morning (24). She was one of 34 people who received first aid under the “De Olho No Futuro” program promoted by the municipality.

The “De Olho do Futuro” program delivers glasses to children, teenagers and the elderly in Chapeco. Photo: Leandro Schmidt/Prefeitura de Chapeco/ND

She made her first glasses 13 years ago and has never changed since. “The degree was already very weak, everything was blurry, and it was expensive to change. Then people from the STSC (social assistance reference center) said at the seminar that the mayor’s office would issue new ones to those who need them, and now I see it well,” he said.

Eliziani Sánchez, Minister of Social Assistance, said the program caters for seniors over 65 with an income of one minimum wage and living in Chapeco. Also, according to her, with the support of the Department of Health, consultations are being held with more than 500 older people.

Municipal Educational Network and State Public Network students aged 6 to 16 with a family income of less than three minimum wages will also benefit. According to Education Minister Astrit Tozzo, evaluations will begin at the end of March.

One of the students who received help was Esther da Silva Bratz, 7, a sophomore at Escola São Francisco. “Last year she started coming home after school with a headache. They then consulted and she had a 30% reduction in vision in one eye and 40% in the other. But for us it was expensive,” said mother Raquel da Silva Bratz.

Mayor Joao Rodriguez said it was an unprecedented initiative in Chapeco. “This is a gesture of respect for the people who need state power the most. There will be neither an elderly person nor a child in Chapeco who needs glasses but cannot see. We are collaborating with seniors and students to help a child who needs to see and cannot learn normally, as well as seniors who may or may not need to change their glasses,” Rodriguez said.