A NORTH Yorkshire woman has returned home after helping to improve the eyesight of people in Africa.

Michele de Vaal, from East Witton, near Leyburn, made her 21st visit to Ethiopia with the Vision Aid Overseas charity last month.

Mrs de Vaal led a team of eight from the UK who worked with final year optometry students at Hawassa University Hospital.

The team trained student optometrists at the hospital and advised them how to set up their own rural clinics as not everyone can travel to Hawassa.

Mrs de Vaal said: “We had been in negotiation with the hospital for some years to put in a Vision Centre - an optical workshop and dispensing shop.

“ This is the fifth Vision Centre we have installed in Ethiopia. It will need support and nurturing for some time to come. We will monitor activities and send support teams for at least three years.

“The project threw up the usual challenges we face in Africa but it was through the sheer hard work of the team and the co-operation of all the staff at the University and hospital, from the dean, right down through the directors and doctors to the drivers and cleaners that ensured that we got the job done.”

Mrs de Vaal is an optometric clinical assistant who works at Cowen & Morgan Opticians, in Ripon.

For more information on Vision Aid Overseas, visit visionaidoverseas.org

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