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