Clear vision for all

Children at three schools in Outapi will receive free eye tests and spectacles thanks to a sponsorship by Sanlam.
Michelline Nawatises
Michelline Nawatises

Sanlam, together with its project partner Shaetonhodi Optometrist, recently launched the third edition of a programme known as the Sanlam Vision for Change Project.

Under the project, which is in its third year of operation, a team of optometrists visits selected schools to conduct eye screening tests. Those children who are found to need glasses receive them free of charge.

The project was launched at the Sanlam offices in Outapi and will target three schools at the town. The schools to benefit from the project this year are John Pandeni Junior Secondary School, David Sheehama Senior Secondary School and Errki Tauya Junior Secondary School.

Speaking at the media launch, Sanlam agency manager Roberta da Costa said she sees projects of this nature as an investment in the leaders of tomorrow.

“Sanlam is guaranteeing a bright future and a level playing field for the learners who are to benefit from it,” she said.

Da Costa thanked Shaetonhodi Optometrist for joining the project to help the insurance company to give back to the community.

Optometrist Linna Shaetonhodi stressed the importance of eye screenings. Shaetonhodi said many learners are not even aware of their eye problems and those that are aware of them are often limited because of a lack of resources.

She added that the government has done its part to ensure the children are educated, but it is up to different stakeholders to make contributions through projects like this which assist the government in its quest to educate Namibian children.

Shaetonhodi thanked Sanlam for considering her practice to be a part of this important project and reiterated her commitment to ensuring the project is a success.

Previously the Sanlam Vision for Change project was conducted in Windhoek at Hage Geingob High School, Windhoek High School and Jan Jonker Afrikaner Secondary School in 2017. Last year the project was conducted in the coast at Swakopmund Secondary School, Coastal High School, Kuisebmond Secondary School and Duinesig Combined School. To date, over 2 000 learners have had their eyes tested through this project and over 700 learners have received glasses.

Currently, the team is conducting tests at John Pandeni Junior Secondary School in Outapi. Magdalena Nusiku Jacob is a grade six learner there who has defective vision. Before this project, Magdalena had to sit on the floor closest to the chalkboard to take notes. During examinations, the school allocated Madgalena additional time. Now she will be provided with glasses, which will allow her to develop to her full potential.

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Namibian Sun 2024-09-20

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LaLiga: Leganés 0 vs 2 Athletic Club | Real Betis 2 vs 1 Getafe | Mallorca 1 vs 0 Real Sociedad Katima Mulilo: 25° | 39° Rundu: 20° | 39° Eenhana: 17° | 36° Oshakati: 15° | 34° Ruacana: 16° | 35° Tsumeb: 19° | 34° Otjiwarongo: 13° | 32° Omaruru: 14° | 32° Windhoek: 11° | 28° Gobabis: 9° | 30° Henties Bay: 11° | 18° Wind speed: 22km/h, Wind direction: W, Low tide: 06:23, High tide: 12:53, Low Tide: 19:02, High tide: 01:16 Swakopmund: 12° | 14° Wind speed: 22km/h, Wind direction: NW, Low tide: 06:21, High tide: 12:51, Low Tide: 19:00, High tide: 01:14 Walvis Bay: 11° | 17° Wind speed: 23km/h, Wind direction: N, Low tide: 06:21, High tide: 12:50, Low Tide: 19:00, High tide: 01:13 Rehoboth: 7° | 29° Mariental: 7° | 26° Keetmanshoop: 6° | 24° Aranos: 6° | 27° Lüderitz: 14° | 27° Ariamsvlei: 6° | 23° Oranjemund: 15° | 30° Luanda: 22° | 24° Gaborone: 11° | 17° Lubumbashi: 18° | 36° Mbabane: 8° | 9° Maseru: 3° | 13° Antananarivo: 11° | 28° Lilongwe: 21° | 31° Maputo: 14° | 15° Windhoek: 11° | 28° Cape Town: 10° | 21° Durban: 13° | 14° Johannesburg: 7° | 9° Dar es Salaam: 23° | 29° Lusaka: 21° | 34° Harare: 17° | 30° Currency: GBP to NAD 23.27 | EUR to NAD 19.54 | CNY to NAD 2.48 | USD to NAD 17.5 | DZD to NAD 0.13 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.28 | EGP to NAD 0.35 | KES to NAD 0.14 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.65 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.16 | RUB to NAD 0.19 | INR to NAD 0.21 | USD to DZD 132.02 | USD to AOA 927.77 | USD to BWP 13.17 | USD to EGP 48.48 | USD to KES 128.48 | USD to NGN 1593.37 | USD to ZAR 17.47 | USD to ZMW 26.45 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index Same 0 | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1831.97 Down -0.38% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 14184.33 Up +0.68% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 30937.69 Up +1.96% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI 9651.25 Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - 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Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 621.76/OZ UP +1.33% | Copper US$ 4.31/lb DOWN -0.0032 | Zinc US$ 2 882.10/T DOWN -0.1% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 74.69/BBP DOWN -0.0026 | Platinum US$ 976.91/OZ DOWN -0.0059