On a sunlit afternoon, a line of fearless youngsters zigzag along a road. But all they see is darkness. Linked hand to shoulder, the line clumsily advances, evading traffic, ox droppings and other obstacles.
A guide tells them which direction to step, turn, or pause. With each and every stride, they learn to trust the voice and rely on their sense of touch. Nevertheless, their hearts are still pounding. Finally, the guide tells them to stop. The entire group anxiously peel off their blindfolds ...
'Wow, it's so bright! I'm so lucky to have vision,' exclaims Chloe Nguy, 17, a student from Hong Kong International School (HKIS). Chloe's group are not dare-devils playing chicken with the oncoming traffic, nor are they looking for cheap thrills. They are Orbis student ambassadors. And they are playing a game in which they 'experience' what it is like to be blind.
They were sent to Vietnam on a mission: 'Spread Hope and Save Sight.'
Like all our senses, vision is often taken for granted. But for many people in developing countries, eye care is a luxury they cannot afford. Even wealthy people have poor knowledge about vision health which leads to complications from the lack of early detection.
Orbis, a non-profit organisation founded in the United States, specialises in fighting blindness in developing nations. Each year, they run fund-raising campaigns in Hong Kong and schools have joined the activities.
