JESSICA Pettiford (right) is only eight years old but already the Narellan Vale girl is a budding philanthropist.
The Guides member is giving hope to many sight-impaired people in poor countries by collecting prescription glasses as part of the OneSight program. Up to 2 million pairs of recycled glasses are needed each year to meet the demand at the charity's overseas clinics.
To earn a Guides Eye Badge, Jessica completed several challenges, including research on assistance dogs, organising a game using a blindfold and learning how the sun harms a person's eyes
"I did lots of reading on the internet and rang the RSPCA to get more information," said Jessica, who is in year 3/4 at Mount Annan Christian College.
The final challenge was to visit OPSM at Narellan to learn more about OneSight and collecting eyewear as a service project.
Jessica said she'd collected about 50 pairs of glasses so far but would like more.
To help Jessica, donate glasses at OPSM at Narellan Town Centre.
Picture: Jeff de Pasquale
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