Restore Eyesight to Children in Africa

Dear Supporters,

Wearing face masks has brought a lot of discussions to governments, companies and people across the world over the last few months as strategies are implemented to address the COVID-19 crisis. Whilst many countries are making masks mandatory across the globe, including in South Africa and Zimbabwe, little consideration is placed on the increased isolation and struggle it brings to the deaf and hard hearing communities. 

Many people in the deaf communities are heavily reliant on reading lips and observing facial expressions to understand and communicate with their surroundings. As COVID-19 is sweeping across the globe creating fear and uncertainty, marginalised people continue to be the most impacted. Whilst it has been widely discussed the risk of people living a lot of people in small areas, lack of access to water and sanitation as well as the lack of health insurance and care in case of infection. However, little attention has been given to the increased isolation of people living with hearing difficulties or people who are deaf. The wearing of masks has resulted in less ability to communicate and listen to their surroundings as people are forced to wear masks, making deaf people more dependent on their close support network. Tasks of ordering food at a counter, doing groceries and basic tasks which were previously possible will now require assistance. However, solutions are there in the form of masks which still show the mouth and make it possible to read lips. But as deaf people are reliant on others to take responsibility and wear deaf friendly facial masks the struggle is real and it is not enough that simply deaf people, and people with hearing difficulties utilize these smart solutions.

The GVI Trust are therefore doing its part to not only advocate and raise awareness of the issue of isolation for the deaf community but are assisting marginalised communities with the innovative masks to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 as well as the rights of people living with disabilities.

Children without the hearing difficulties are heavily impacted by COVID-19 due to the lack of ability to read lips and facial expressions as face masks are becoming more and more common and normalised. As the masks serve as an essential tool to tackle the spread of the virus, it has proven to be of great importance to have masks that serve people with disabilities. The see-through masks on the market does just that and does not isolate those who are relying on seeing people's faces. By raising awareness and providing resources to not only children suffering from hearing difficulties and their families but to people living and working in their communities the GVI Trust is doing its part. By simply donating $10 you are not only stopping the spread of COVID-19, but you are breaking the barriers for communication.

Thank you to our Donors, Fundraisers and Supporters! 

With Gratitude,

Vision and Hearing

Dear Supporters,

Across South Africa, children are facing discrimination due to hearing and vision difficulties. With families lacking knowledge of identifying problems, and resources to provide adequate support, many children fall behind in school. This results in lack of employment opportunities and coping strategies causing dependency on families, governments and international aid. By providing children with the gift of vision and hearing, they can grow, learn in school and eventually become part of the solution. Whilst the world is tackling COVID-19, it is more essential than ever that we do not forget those who live with life-long disabilities. 

Families with children who are suffering from hearing and vision are often unaware of their difficulties. In the cases where families are aware, the stigma associated with vision and hearing problems often results in parents not declaring their child’s challenges to the relevant school. Consequently, no assistance is provided. Even when issues are declared, parents and schools lack the resources and funding to do adequate checks to be able to assist those suffering and provide glasses and hearing aids to those in need.

To tackle this ACJ Phakade Primary School in Strand, a long standing partner of GVI Trust, contacted us regarding the issue of vision for some of the students. The GVI Trust reached out to its network and after building a strong relationship with a group of Swedish opticians philanthropists, we arranged for the first free eye examinations at the public school as a pilot project. During a two day process we examined the eyes of students which had independently expressed vision difficulties as well as those who had been highlighted by teachers as students who might have had difficulties seeing in the classroom.

The students and teachers who had relatively easily managed vision problems were provided glasses on the day. For the students who had more complex vision difficulties, consultations were scheduled for a more thorough check and examination prior to getting specially designed glasses for their independent needs. 

After this successful pilot project, we have continued on for yearly visits. Thus, as GVI Trust is working across South Africa, we are noticing that other schools are experiencing similar difficulties, including hearing issues. We are now looking for funding to extend the testing to include hearing; reach more schools across the country and use local experts.

By providing rural and disadvantaged communities across South Africa in association with specialised NGOs with vision and hearing testing, children in need will be given a new chance. The screening provided by local, trained staff will identify children's individual needs prior to supplying them with the resources required to give children vision and hearing as they grow old. Training will be provided to the child and their family to ensure use and maintenance of the specific device. In addition, aftercare is provided to ensure that the families feel supported even after the initial trial period.

Children without the lack of adequate vision and hearing fall behind in school and eventually without work opportunities. By tackling the root cause of their learning difficulties, the donation will not only provide children with the ability to live life to the fullest, but reduce inequalities they face in the labour market. This will reduce their dependence on their family, government and foreign aid and empower them emotionally and economically.

Thank you to our Donors, Fundraisers and Supporters!

With Gratitude,

Africa Vision and Hearing