75% of the world’s vision impairment is preventable and there is a global focus to encourage people to get their eyes screened. Ster-Kinekor’s Vision Mission initiative provides preventative care and treatment to those who don’t have access to this service. This CSI initiative caters to the youth in underserved communities with visual problems, particularly glaucoma and corneal dysfunctionalities.
Since 2005, Vision Mission has completed over 365,000 eye screens for disadvantaged students and provided 16 428 spectacles. One young man had his sight restored via a double cornea transplant after being blind for 10 years. 33 other young people with the same condition have been helped as a result.
Many of these conditions are treatable, but tragically low-income families have limited access to affordable treatment. Ster-Kinekor’s involvement in the film and digital industries highlights the value of seeing and enjoying a film.
Geraldine Engelman is the head of CSI & Transformation at Ster-Kinekor Theatres, where she also assists with transformation, particularly BBBEE and employment equity. She has been at Ster-Kinekor for 15 years, and instrumental in developing Vision Mission.
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