Kelepi Salauca, middle, of Project Heaven takes Ashrita Narayan through the eye-testing machine at Rishikul Primary School in Nasinu.

More than 300,000 students have been helped by Project Heaven, which is a hearing and vision screening program.
Project supervisor Tomasi Canuwale said the team was on the third phase of screening for primary schools and second phase for secondary schools.
Yesterday the team was at Rishikul Primary School screening students.
Project Heaven Trust started in 1998 and reached the 11th year of service yesterday.
He said the team detects eye and ear problems and refers them to appropriate authorities for treatment.
Mr Canuwale said the team conducted three attempts of follow-ups until child/patients were healed or treated.
He said as of yesterday, the had group covered the whole of Fiji.
"Of the total number screened, 10 per cent presented with hearing and vision defects," Mr Canuwale said.
He said the Project Heaven Trust assists every child with hearing aids, frame, consultation fees, lens, transportation fare and medication. "The funding for the project comes from Christian Blinden Mission in Philippines and European Union," Mr Canuwale said.
He said local funding came from the Social Welfare Department, Vodafone ATH Foundation and Fiji Water.
"We have four teams now that have visited nine schools in Naitasiri and the Nasinu area," he said.
Mr Canuwale said the project, which was providing unique services in Fiji, might close next year if there was no confirmation on funding. "Government as well as our overseas funding agencies are thinking of withdrawing their funding," he said.

FIJI Times, September 25, 2009