When 52-year-old Gerna du Plessis lost her sight, she fell apart. Her blindness ended her career as a maternity nurse, and she experienced major upheaval in her personal relationships.

She thought her life was over – until she attended Optima College.

With perseverance, the support of friends and a caring facilitator at Optima, Gerna found her feet. She completed Computer Literacy and Call Centre training and learned to use the little vision she has left to read, with the use of a magnifier.

And that's why we’re hoping we can count on you to click here now and join Illuminé – our very special circle of supporters – so we can reach more people in desperate need.

Your support will offer blind and partially sighted students the amazing chance to attend Optima College – like Gerna did. And when they do they’ll receive the care and training they need to overcome their challenges and live full, satisfying lives.

Gerna has two lovely daughters who are very proud of how their mother’s learning to cope with blindness. They e-mail and sms her in English so her mobile phone can read the messages to her.

"It's so cool that mum has learned to use technology and can email us," her one daughter says.

If you click here now and join Illuminé today, you’ll extend this lifeline of hope to more people. What's more, you’ll set off a ripple of kindness that will touch an ever-widening circle of people.

So if you want to be part of a special group of friends whose good deeds continue to transform lives – click here now and join Illuminé.

As soon as you join Illuminé as a Sponsor, we’ll send you a special certificate of recognition and a ruler magnifier. It’s my small way of showing how much we appreciate and rely on your support.