Old Spectacles

Post by **Big Boy** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:50 pm

As a diabetic, I have my eyes tested annually in the UK. Any replacement specs are paid for - 50/50 through insurance and work. The optician knows it costs me nothing for new specs, so I have 2 new pairs (buy 1 get 1 free) prescribed every year.

I am building quite a collection of old specs, and need to find a home for them. I was wondering if anybody knows of an organisation in Thailand that coud make use of old specs? If there is, I would gladly donate them during my next visit.

Post by **hhfarang** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:38 pm

I saw an add on TV about just that... donating your old specs to Thai poor and children. I've seen it several times as it runs in the dead space at the end of English language programs I watch on TrueVisions True Series channel. The add was in Thai so I don't know who or where but I'll ask around. I'm sure some Thai speaking person has seen this ad and can tell you about it. I will pay close attention if I see it again and see if there is a web address or phone number.

Post by **bluezephyr** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:57 pm

Ive heard about donating old glasses to people in Africa before, The big plastic glasses with hoses on them to inject water (or air??) in them to focus arent that flattering

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generally my glasses break before i get a chance to get another pair, Not long ago i Put some nice designer frames and oakley sunnies with prescription lenses through the books as safety glasses

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:07 am

hhfarang wrote:I will pay close attention if I see it again and see if there is a web address or phone number.

Thanks hhfarang - much appreciated

It'll be good to find a needy home for them.

Post by **hhfarang** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:32 am

Big Boy,

I found it online. Read the following article and it will tell you of several eyeglass donation organizations in Thailand, http://bkmagazine.com/feature/eyeglasses-donation. The first link mentioned http://pr.egat.co.th/eyeglasses/images/eyeglasses.html is the one I saw advertised on TrueVisions.

Also another organization that takes them for all poor countries is http://www.onesight.org/

Post by **Georgy Porgy** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 11:56 am

Thai Prisons also need glasses.
Address: Klongprem Hospital, Ngam Wongwan Road, Lard Yao, Jatujak, Bangkok 10900.
They will be distributed from there to Regional Prisons.

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:12 pm

Thanks alot guys - I think my old specs will have a new home soon. Your efforts have been appreciated.

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:35 pm

Georgy Porgy wrote:Thai Prisons also need glasses.

F**K'EM!

Post by **Amarita** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:04 am

Hello,

here in Norway you can give your glasses
to Salvation army.
I guess you can do that in the UK too.

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:46 am

I hadn't thought of them - I'll check them out and maybe free up some baggage allowance.

Thank you

Post by **barrys** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:15 pm

Hi BB

The Pattaya City Expats club has a scheme for distributing old glasses.
Below is an excerpt from their E-Newsletter:

EYE GLASSES - Member Dave Anderson has been collecting eyeglasses and frames for re-cycling and distributing to needy people in Thailand and Pattaya. He recently brought 2000 frames and lenses for distribution in Thailand through the Pattaya YWCA, City Hall, and his connection with a country wide program. There is always a need - if you have any old glasses or frames around, please bring them to the meeting, give them to Richard Smith. On Dave's latest visit, we gave him the eyeglasses received (about 50 to 60), which he said would be donated to the Eyeglass Bank Project.

Laurie McLoughlin is one of the organisers at the Expats club: his phone number is 085-0635875 and his email: lawriemcl (at) hotmail.com

If you need any help getting them to Pattaya, we'd be happy to take them across for you - we go about every 2 weeks.

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:18 pm

thanks for the info Barry. My problem at the moment is persuading Mrs BB that we need a holiday - for the first time ever, she seems to have gone off the idea of holidaying in Thailand. Her cunning plan is to force me to make the permanent move before I persuade HMG to give me early retirement - she doesn't seem to realise that we need money before we permanently retire to Thailand

Post by **hhfarang** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:48 pm

You don't need any money, Big Boy. Thailand is dirt cheap... especially Hua Hin.

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:04 pm

We always planned that our last holiday would be our last - I was planning on early retirement this year. Unfortunately, HMG decided I was too expensive to retire just yet, and my early retirement was turned down

Mrs BB is simply trying to force the issue to a swift conclusion. If I do it her way, my pension will be reduced by 35%. I am not prepared to lose more than 20%, so 2011/2012 is my goal.

I know that Mrs BB's desire to visit the Grand Children will be the deciding factor, so I expect a holiday to be requested by the end of this year