Barriers removed for Rotorua kids (+ video)

More than 1000 Rotorua primary school pupils will have their eyesight tested this week and if needed, will be given glasses, all free.

OneSight, a global foundation that travels the world providing free eye care, has set up at Rotorua Primary School for the week.

Wayne Hogan, national programme manager for OneSight, said they visited low socio-economic areas.

"We are part of a global foundation who visit 133 countries. We have over 15 volunteers here this week come from all over Australia and New Zealand," he said.

"We do distance testing, we check if they are colour blind, and any kids that need it we do a full comprehensive test and provide glasses if they need, all for free."

Rotorua Primary School principal John Naera said: "I think it's wonderful, it's trying to take barriers away that prevent learning. From our school we have had 20 checked and three needed glasses.

"Some kids live with some form of problem and they think it's just the norm and we want to try and tackle that. We want to test 100 per cent of our kids."

He said any adults who came in with their kids could be tested free as well.

Toni Waaka from Te Taumata o Ngati Whakaue Iho-Ake Trust said they had been working with OneSight and their job had been to co-ordinate the schools to make sure they all knew it was happening.

"We feed the team and look after them while they are here and show them around Rotorua."

She said it was a great opportunity for Rotorua.

"It's been awesome and [the volunteers] are lovely."

Hailie Sullivan, 12, had her eyes tested on Monday and it turned out she needed new glasses.

She was "excited" to be able to see properly.

"I like the shape of my new frames," she said.

For more information visit www.onesight.org.