Schools in Africa to receive sight tests for first time

Eye care services will be provided to two schools in Africa for the first time thanks to fundraising by Essilor and independent practitioners at the lens company’s Innovation Conference (13 April).

Money raised from donations, a raffle and a silent auction at the event in Birmingham was matched by Essilor.

Corporate social responsibility director at Essilor, Nigel Corbett, explained that all of the children at the schools will have a vision test and be provided with spectacles if needed.

“Pupils needing specific treatment will be referred to a medical centre for further investigation. Actions such as this are a fundamental component of our group mission of improving lives by improving sight,” he added.

Services will be provided to children such as Catherine from Zambia (pictured) by Our Children’s Vision, which is a programme coordinated by Vision Aid Overseas (VAO).

A VAO spokesperson said: “Through this initiative, we are ensuring that each, and every child at a school will receive eye care services. Our Children’s Vision has already reached 18 million children with eye care services, and through the support of programmes like this, we can reach out to many more.”

Discussions are currently taking place with authorities in Sierra Leone, Ghana and Ethiopia to establish which two schools will be chosen.