Hopley, Vicky
| Location: | Antananarivo, Madagascar |
|---|---|
| Project: | Centre National de Formation de Réfraction et de la Basse Vision (CNFR), Ministry of Health |
As a Coordinator Refraction and Low Vision Services Vicky Hopley is responsible for setting up a training scheme for refractionists and low vision clinicians who will then work in government hospitals across Madagascar. A recent big achievement was the start of a Low Vision Clinic run from the centre every week. At present her daily work involves negotiations with the Ministry of Health and finalising details for the start of the course, but Vicky is looking forward to teaching from April onwards.
Vicky qualified as an Optometrist in 1996 and worked for 5 years at Sunderland Eye Infirmary before leaving to study for a Diploma in Biblical and Cross Cultural Studies at All Nations Christian College, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. She returned to clinical work at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital as Senior Optometrist for 2 years and then moved to a remote area of Madagascar to work in the eye department at Hopitaly Vaovao Mahafaly, Mandritsara (a CBM supported project) as a volunteer for a year. It was at this point that Vicky discovered that CBM was looking for someone to start the refraction and low vision programme in the capital. Ms. Hopley began her contract with CBM in April 2007.
