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A TRIP to provide aid in Ghana has proved to be an eye-opening experience for a local optician.

Paul Taylor, of Milford Haven, spent two weeks in the poverty-stricken region of Ashanti carrying out eye tests and distributing spectacles to locals.

Paul, who works at Specsavers in Pembroke Dock, flew out last month with ten other volunteers from across the UK. He took nearly 400 pairs of donated glasses on a trip organised by Ashanti development, a programme which aims to relieve hardship in the area.

He described the trip as a great experience, yet very hard work.

"On a normal day I'd carry out about 25 eye tests, but over there I was getting through 150 a day."

Paul, aged 31, also said it was humbling to see locals so appreciative of his work.

"It was clearly a community with a high level of poverty, and houses were basic wooden huts with corrugated iron. It was fantastic to know that we could make a difference to the area."

"Many customers had not seen spectacles before, so as soon as they put them on the difference was remarkable."

He also felt the trip had been a valuable learning experience.

"We take for granted how well off we are. Some children were in the same clothes throughout my time there. yet they were always happy and friendly."

To show their appreciation, locals staged a dance festival for the opticians, which Paul describes as the highlight of his trip.

He did however, find one drawback to the friendly nature of the community.

"I took some footballs out with me for the children and they always wanted a kick about. They could run around for hours, but I was knackered," he joked.

Paul added he would relish the opportunity to embark on a similar trip in the future.

10:09am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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