'100 for a Hundred' to help children with poor eyesight

MANILA, Philippines - One woman is seeking support as she runs a race to help improve the eyesight of children of the Culiat Elementary School.

In a profiling of schools conducted by the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED), it was found that a number of public school children classified as “non-readers” and “poor learners” actually have poor eyesight, which hinders their learning.

Cathy Babao is running a five-kilometer race in support of her project “100 for a Hundred” which aims to raise funds – P100,000 from 100 individuals, each donating P1,000 to her run – to sponsor the cost of refraction, a pair of eyeglasses, and a set of four books to be given to 100 children, aged seven to 11 years old, at Culiat Elementary School.

Babao is an advocate of children’s health, having lost one of her sons to a congenital heart disease. Last year, Babao ran to purchase a portable ventilator for Hannah Cordoviz, a child with a breathing impairment.

This year, Babao said her younger son motivated her to organize “100 for a Hundred.”

The 10-year-old, an avid reader who wears glasses, had been complaining about his vision in one eye. Thinking his grade had gone up, they were surprised to find instead that he had a lazy eye. Although a correctable condition, Babao said that it had been hampering the child’s vision for the past two years.

That same day, Babao received a letter from the ACED about their campaign to help improve the eyesight of public school children.

“I knew right then that there was no coincidence when my son’s diagnosis and the plea for help came on the very same day,” she said.

“Reading opens new worlds and the gift of good eyesight is a life-long legacy that we can give to these children. Your contribution to this cause will go a very long way in helping them children have a better future. More importantly, they will be so blessed in knowing that there are people out there who cared enough to help make a significant difference in their young lives,” she wrote in a letter to supporters.

“100 for a Hundred” is part of Babao’s endeavor to help an initial 613 children from seven partner schools to have a brighter future. She will do the 5K run on Sept. 5 at the Mommy Marathon to be held at The Fort. To support her run, email [email protected].