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Our in-house managed eye testing and spectacle fitment programme “Framing the Future” sees the Group partnering with approved optometrists who are active across the Regions in which we operate. The beneficiary primary schools that form part of the programme are selected in liaison and consultation with each project’s and community’s stakeholders.
Our mission? To remove at least one barrier to a child’s ability to navigate their world with confidence.
In February and again in August this year we partnered with Durban-based SLG Optometrists, whose team screened a combined total of 1002 learners (all learners up from Grade 1 to Grade 7) for visual challenges at the Edamini Primary School in Shongwe Nidamsalem and the St Lawrence Primary School in Kwanyuswa. Both schools fall within local wards surrounding the Westown Shongweni Urban Development, where our Coastal region is undertaking a number of contracts.
The mood at both handover events was nothing short of joyful, and everywhere one looked one was met with broad smiles. “Stefanutti Stocks have done a wonderful job,” says Sibusiso Gumede, director of SLG Optometrists. “As people involved in construction they understand what the importance of foundation is – you are giving an opportunity to kids that would never have had a chance to sit on a refraction chair, have their eyes tested and have a pair of glasses that are specifically made for them!”
Our total investment over the two phases was R258 421.82. We screened a total of 579 learners at Edamini Primary School, 68 of whom underwent a full visual examination with 41 requiring spectacles. At St Lawrence Primary we screen 423 learners, 55 of whom required a full visual examination and 37 of whom were issued with spectacles.
During the six months between handovers both schools reported a marked improvement in those learners who had received their spectacles in late February. “Now that they can see, they are encouraging even themselves, and asking for more work because now it is not a hassle anymore!” says Nokuthula Precious, deputy principal of Edamini Primary School.
The positive impact on their sight and ability to engage within the classrooms has also seen many of the learners self-confidence grow, and parents have written letters also voicing their gratitude. Our hope is of course that those learners who received their spectacles this August, as well as their parents, will have the same experience with their new found visual abilities.
“You don’t know the impact and difference you are making to these learners,” says Mbali Ngcobo, deputy principal of St Lawrence Primary School. “Today it might be 17 learners getting their spectacles, but it wasn’t 17 learners who were tested, and it is more than 17 learners that had the opportunity to be taught about eye care and eye health.”
Over the course of seven years our contributions to eye health in primary schools have enabled the testing of almost 10 000 pairs of eyes. We have handed out over 600 spectacles and intend to continue rolling out the Framing the Future programme at every one of our large construction projects.
“If a child cannot see, their impaired access to educational resources could inhibit their potential to change the world,” says Stefanutti Stocks’ Transformation Manager Gabriella Hanna, who is championing our Framing the Future programme. “By screening young learners and dispensing spectacles to those who need them, we are removing at least one barrier to their ability to navigate their world with confidence.”
