Take a look at some of the things that you’ve helped us achieve in 2010/2011!

Whatever we’ve achieved is because we have friends like you by our side, offering support and encouragement every step of the way. Thank you for your kindness – and let’s try to achieve even more in 2012!

• The Perkins Brailler Project has been incorporated into Council. The assembly plant in Cape Town manufactured 12 501 Classic Perkins and 538 Electric Braillers. The plant manufactures the Braillers 45% cheaper than the imported product.
• Council identified 2 800 visually impaired persons who were living without assistance. Now, these people can benefit from our services and we can make relevant referrals for them, so they can get the treatment they so desperately need.
• We assisted 120 visually impaired people to find jobs and placed 16 people in SETA learnerships. Getting a foothold in the world of employment is a giant step towards restoring human dignity and pride.
• A whopping 34 035 clients were screened for eye conditions as part of our rural outreach efforts.
• The Foundation for Human Rights sponsored 360 visually impaired women from across South Africa to be trained in leadership skills.
• A generous R570 000 gift from the Murray and Roberts Trust was put to good use: subsidising the cost of essential assistive devices for 600 people.
• With the help of our donors we purchased and delivered R489 000 worth of study materials and equipment to Adult Basic Education and Training centres.
• 2 872 patients were diagnosed with glaucoma and referred to specialists for further medical management.
• The Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness, Council’s Eye Care Division, performed 7 253 cataract surgeries.
• Refraction error tests were performed on 5 282 clients – and 14 097 pairs of spectacles were issued.
• 90 students graduated in computer literacy, 68 in call centre training and 38 in Braille.
• We treated 10 140 patients for minor eye conditions.

The numbers quoted are for the 2010/2011 biennial period.