The 2025 Orbis Action for Sight (AFS) kicked off yesterday with a ceremony at the Planetarium of the Macau Science Centre (MSC) in Nape, with the near two-month long campaign this year being themed “Discover a Different Kind of Cuteness” and running through December 5.
Yesterday marked “World Sight Day”, which is annually observed on the second Thursday of October and aims to raise awareness about blindness and vision impairment.
The annual advocacy and fund-raising campaign, which has been organised by Orbis Macau since 2010, comprises promotional and fundraising activities to “draw attention to the significance of healthy sight and the impact of prioritising eye health and care, while raising vital resources to sustain Orbis’ global sight-saving programmes and sustainable training”, according to event information provided at yesterday’s ceremony.
Its theme is hoped to remind members of the public that one can only “Discover a Different Kind of Cuteness” with sound vision, with the Orbis Macau website noting that it is through healthy sight that people can appreciate the wonders around them, including beauty and cuteness, while also recognising dangers as well as in shaping one’s emotional well-being, education, and careers.
Members of the public were urged in yesterday’s campaign details that people should take care of and treasure their eye sight. The NGO also reminded members of the public to “prioritise eye health and care” and that supporting the campaign can allow one to help transform the lives of more visually impaired patients.
Moreover, in line with its theme, the design of this year’s stickers and badges features four characters: the Chubby Capybara, Master Witty Cat, Cheeky Doggo and Derpy Goofy, with members of the public able to receive a sheet of themed stickers with each donation. One can also receive one of the four badges for donations of 100 patacas and up.
The badges and stickers were showcased at yesterday’s ceremony at the 127-seat Planetarium, where the “Starry Night Charity Music Performance” by the local Emotional Music Together band featuring Zito Estorinho on drums also took place. The musicians played eight songs under stars and the vast galaxy shown through projections on the Planetarium’s semi-dome screen.
Macao Astronomical Society President Lei Chi Fai also delivered commentary on outer space in between performances.
One can find more details on the campaign by visiting
https://mac.orbis.org/en
Photos taken yesterday by Rui Pastorin
