Yashoda is a typical Grade 7 student, with one exception; she had a previously undetected vision problem. She attends primary school in KwaZulu-Natal,, South Africa. For Yashoda’s family, like so many, the costs associated with visiting an optometrist and a pair of glasses is insurmountable.In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the ICEE Child Eye Care Programme provides eye examinations and affordable spectacles, educates communities about the importance of eye care and complements existing government services for school-aged children. Because of the Child Eye Care Programme, ICEE was able to visit Yashoda’s school and conduct an eye examination and provide the glasses she needed.
Yashoda’s teacher, Mr Moodley, now describes Yashoda as an excellent student and she is Head Prefect of her Grade 7 class. “It was difficult to detect the eye problem. I must say that we did not know about it,” he recalls.
Yashoda dreams of being an author, “Before I had glasses I couldn’t see clearly, it was dull. Now I can see better, so I am able to do better in my school work. It feels great to be able to see properly, clearly, to see new things, and be able to read properly,” she said.
Yashoda’s Principal, Mr Govender, recognises a key element to receiving a good education, and ultimately having future opportunities, is clear sight. “We really welcome the opportunities provided by ICEE. A child needs to read in order to learn. Thirty-two learners at this school have gained tremendously by the provision of spectacles,” he said.
“Our school is basically the house of hope for the learners and we believe very firmly in not further disadvantaging communities that are already disadvantaged,” said Mr Govender.
When asked how she feels now that she has a pair of glasses, Yashoda said with a smile, “feels lovely” .
Through the Child Eye Care Programme ICEE has screened over 200,000 children.
The ICEE Child Eye Care Programme is part of ICEE Giving Sight to Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Programme and supported by ICEE donors of Australia, Institute for Eye Research, USAID, Standard Chartered Bank “Seeing is Believing”, Optometry Giving Sight and Discovery.
