Over 1000widows and widowers of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi will be provided with free glasses and eye treatment.

The initiative, that was launched yesterday, is the brainchild of Vision for a Nation, in partnership with the national association of genocide widows (AVEGA).

Dancille Mukandoli, an AVEGA founding member, said the programme will restore hope among the beneficiaries and enable them to uplift their economic status.

"They have various eye complications, mainly as a result of the Genocide, which prevent them from doing various income generating activities like making crafts even as we are trained in these vocations.

"Once treated, I believe they will manage to produce crafts and earn a living in the process,” said Mukandoli.

 "I learned making various crafts from AVEGA but I never used my skills since I had sight impairment. Now that I have glasses, I am comfortable with my vision and hope to start using my skills soon instead of being a dependant,” said Jacqueline Asante, after getting treatment at AVEGA health centre in Remera.

"I could not see small things. Even walking at normal pace was not easy. With the glasses, I am now able to see things I could not see before,’’ said Jeanne d’Arc Gahongayire, another beneficiary.

Tom Rosewall, the Country Director of Vision for a Nation, said the ‘‘life-changing outreach programme’’ will be carried out annually.

"We will carry it out annually for the next two or three years. We have trained over 1,250 nurses nationwide so that even other people, not only the widows, but also the general public, can get eye treatment at the local health centres even after we have closed,” said Rosewall.

Vision for a Nation has been providing  professional eye care, basic treatment, medicine, affordable glasses and referral sto district hospitals  for more complex eye health issues.

The current exercise will run through April 30.