The world’s leading infectious cause of irreversible blindness, trachoma disappeared from most cities and towns over 100 years ago but Australia remains the last developed country in the world where this disease is considered endemic as it still persists in outback Indigenous communities where living standards are inadequate.
Although trachoma is easily treated with antibiotics, it is the frequent recurrent infections that damage the eyelids and cause blindness.
With Rotary clubs united across Australia to work towards eliminating trachoma by preventing the spread of infection, East Hills students helped assemble 10 toiletry kits (for a family of four) for families attending the Families as first teachers (FaFT) program in the Northern Territory.
FaFT delivers quality early learning and parent support programs to develop parents’ capacity to give their children the best start in life.
Padstow Rotary President Charles Mille thanked the girls for their assistance on the night.
“A big thank you also to Interact Coordinator Christie Dierikx, Rotary Club liaison officer Thea Davies and Allyn Waters for his assistance,” he said.
