Students who struggle to see words in a textbook will struggle to learn. But thanks to a donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, up to five thousand students across Papua New Guinea will receive reading glasses through the respected Laila Foundation.
The Laila Foundation matches prescription glasses to students with eyesight-related reading difficulties. The glasses are provided by the non-profit organization Charity Vision, which provides eyecare supplies to 35 countries.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through its Humanitarian Services department, is underwriting the cost of both the glasses and their distribution. The long-term plan is for children throughout Papua New Guinea to receive free vision screening, with an estimated 2500 to 5000 students expected to receive their first reading glasses in the first year.
The program was launched on 9 October 2025 at Gordon’s Secondary School in the nation’s capital city of Port Moresby, and was covered by local news media.
During the event students were able to get their eyes tested and, when necessary, receive glasses pre-built for their specific eye conditions.
Over the next six months, the Church will also provide portable diagnostic equipment for eye screenings in remote locations throughout the country.
Papua New Guinea's Minister of Health, the Honorable Elias Kapavore, assisted in delivering glasses to students at the Gordon’s Secondary School and thanked the Church of Jesus Christ for its support.
"I cannot say enough about what this donation will mean for our young people in Papua New Guinea. Through this work an entire generation of students will be able to reach their full potential for the benefit and blessing of all of Papua New Guinea. Our deepest thanks are extended to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their generous contribution to make this program a reality.”
Alexander Quiocho is one of the students who is benefiting from the program. He is one year from graduation at Gordon’s Secondary School, but throughout his life he struggled to read the chalkboards at the front of his class. He says his nearsightedness was especially difficult when he was younger and his teachers said he was not paying attention.
In receiving his glasses, he says “I’m glad this is happening for young people everywhere in Papua New Guinea. It will create an opportunity for everyone to enjoy learning, and that’s so important.”
