Eyeglasses for a brighter future in Northern Mexico
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In a context where access to basic services, including medical care, is limited, TC Energía conducted a day focused on visual health. For weeks, our Social Impact and Community Relations teams coordinated eye exams to identify problems of myopia and astigmatism among residents of six communities in the municipalities of Choix and Mazatlán in Sinaloa, culminating in the donation of nearly 500 glasses to children and adults.
In Mexico, almost one in 10 children between the ages of three and 14 has some kind of visual problem, according to the Institute for the Future of Education of the Tecnologico de Monterrey. This figure practically doubles for young people between 15 and 27 years of age. This problem is one of the main causes of the poor school performance of millions of students in Mexico and the world.
This initiative is an important step forward in our commitment to the communities where we operate,’ said Fernanda Hermosillo, Senior Advisor for Social Impact at TC Energía. We understand the difficulties they face, and we are committed to working together with them to find solutions to improve their quality of life.
The eyeglasses delivery event in the northern zone of Sinaloa took at the General Lázaro Cárdenas Primary School, located in the community of San Javier, municipality of Choix. It was attended by community representatives, including Lidia Leticia Leyva, president of the Parents' Association, and Juan Alberto Baez, principal of the primary school. At this event, more than 200 pairs of glasses were handed out to inhabitants of the communities of San Javier and Los Pozos, as well as El Fuerte, in the municipalities of Choix and Capomos, respectively.
For many people in these communities, these will be their first glasses,’ said Luis Gama, from TC Energía's Community Relations team. There are many older people who have trouble reading signs on trucks for transportation or who want to read messages on their phones or small text on food labels or recipes and have to ask someone else for help. We hope this will change their lives,’ says Luis.
And that is exactly the case for Doña María Graciela Cruz, from El Quemado in Mazatlán, who at over 60 years old, will finally be able to see better:
I am happy to have the possibility to have these TC Energía lenses. I had never had my glasses made until today. We are very happy’ - María Graciela Cruz, beneficiary of the program.
A similar event was also held in the southern part of the state, benefiting the rural communities of El Quemado, Higueras del Conchi and El Chilillo, located in the Mazatlán metropolitan area, with the delivery of more than 240 pairs of glasses. The event was attended by the ejido commissioners Marcela Tiznado and José Teodoro Osuna.
This need was identified by public awareness agents operating directly in the communities. At TC Energía, we have a strong commitment to local communities and foster mutually beneficial partnerships. We recognize the importance of our operations in the lives of local communities and strive to make a positive impact on their education, health and general well-being,’ Fernanda explained.
This effort is part of TC Energía's long-term commitment to continue supporting these communities. The solid and trusting relationship that the company has built over time positions it as a good neighbor and agent of positive change, demonstrating its dedication to the wellbeing of those who live in these areas.