In a powerful address that blended personal experience with national urgency, Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association president Deonarine Ragoo issued an impassioned call for immediate action on children’s vision care. Speaking at the Rapidfire Kidz Foundation’s Eyes Right Project ceremony on November 30, the visually impaired leader addressed an auditorium of students, parents, and officials at Naparima College.
The event marked a significant milestone as 51 students from San Fernando Boys’ and Girls’ Government Primary Schools received prescription glasses through a collaborative initiative between the foundation and Republic Bank Ltd. This partnership represents a concerted effort to ensure that visual impairments don’t hinder educational opportunities or dim future prospects.
Ragoo, who possesses firsthand understanding of vision loss having been born with only ten percent vision before losing even that fifteen years ago, framed the initiative as more than charity. ‘This function must be looked at in the context of bringing freedom, social justice and empowerment to our nation’s children,’ he declared, elevating the discussion from mere healthcare to fundamental rights.
The statistics presented were sobering: an estimated 15,000-20,000 people in Trinidad and Tobago live with visual impairment, often due to delayed treatment caused by poverty or neglect. Ragoo emphasized that such delays frequently lead to reduced vision or permanent blindness—outcomes his organization has fought against for over a century.
Beyond immediate optical care, the president highlighted technological barriers facing visually impaired students, specifically the critical need for Braille displays costing approximately $25,000 each. These devices enable access to digital educational content, representing what Ragoo termed ‘true empowerment’ that leads to ‘true freedom.’
The foundation demonstrated its expanded commitment to youth development by also supporting athletic pursuits. A $30,000 donation from fundraising proceeds was presented to former West Indies bowler Samuel Badree for constructing cricket nets at the SB Cricket Academy’s facility in Tarouba, scheduled to open in early 2026.
Republic Bank Ltd reinforced its partnership with a $90,000 pledge for the 2025-2026 period, ensuring the Eyes Right Project’s continued expansion. Since its 2012 launch, the initiative has distributed 1,401 pairs of glasses, addressing vision problems that might otherwise go untreated.
Practical guidance accompanied the donations, as See View Optical general manager Premnath Sookdeo educated young recipients on proper eyewear maintenance, warning against dry wiping lenses to prevent scratches from accumulated particles.
Foundation president Kevin Ratiram encouraged balanced lifestyles, advising students to complement their improved visual capabilities with outdoor activities and family time rather than excessive screen use.
As students departed with clearer vision and broader opportunities, Ragoo’s closing wish encapsulated the event’s spirit: ‘I wish you a Merry Christmas, a prosperous 2026, and many decades of good sight.’
