Hong Kong’s St Barnabas giving gift of improved sight to 20 residents this year with help of Operation Santa Claus

The charity, which runs programmes for the city’s elderly and homeless, is one of 19 beneficiaries of the annual SCMP-RTHK fundraising initiative

Founded in 1987, St Barnabas is providing free surgeries under its ‘Healing the Vision of the Underprivileged Elderly’ programme for a third straight year

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Beneficiaries David Ho and Wan Wing-hung (front, left to right) receive free eye treatment from St Barnabas’ Society and Home in Sai Ying Pun. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 10:00am, 12 Nov 2020Updated: 10:30am, 12 Nov 2020

David Ho Kai-shing avoids going out at night. If he knows the weather will be bad, he does not go out at all.

“I’m afraid of falling over, because at my age, that can be very serious,” he said.

The 60-year-old is a resident of High Street House, a hostel in Sai Ying Pun that provides temporary accommodation for the needy. Though he has yet to be officially diagnosed, he believes he has cataracts in both eyes.

He is one of 20 people who will soon receive consultation and treatment for eye diseases, thanks to St Barnabas’ Society and Home.

Established in 1987, the organisation offers help to the elderly, the poor and the homeless through its outreach programme. It also provides services including temporary shelters and a drop-in centre that provides hot meals.

This is the third year the home will conduct its “Healing the Vision of the Underprivileged Elderly” project. This time, the programme will be funded by money raised by Operation Santa Claus, a fundraising initiative jointly organised by The South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK since 1988.