St John says that it provides free refractive care services at a variety of centres across South Africa and has partnered with various entities to change the lives of many.

In 2022, St John says that it partnered with Ster-Kinekor during World Optometry Week, a week of 'firsts' for many, when 80 children with compromised vision who, unable to afford life-changing eye care, each received a free pair of prescription spectacles thanks to the collaboration.

Since 2018, the local government eye clinic at Northdale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal has been experiencing a critical backlog in their ability to dispense spectacles, affecting 80 youngsters — already identified as needing glasses, sitting on the waiting list. On hearing about their predicament, St John went to Ster-Kinekor's proactive Vision Mission CSI project requesting their help. Without hesitation, the team from Vision Mission came on board to support St John, the organisation adds.

"It was heart-breaking to think that 80 children, who should be wearing glasses, would be starting the new school year without them," says St John Optometrist, Sanchia Jogessar.

Jogessar retested all 80 pairs of young eyes and made bespoke spectacles for each child, which, thanks to the generosity of Ster-Kinekor, were gifted free to the children, St Johns adds. Thirty of the 80 children were treated to a movie outing at Watercrest Mall to test their new spectacles.

"This is life-changing," says first-time spectacle wearer, Okuhle Mthembu. “You have no idea. Now, today, for the first time ever, I can see properly."

"I just keep wanting to take my spectacles on and off to compare the difference. Seeing everything so clearly is absolutely magnificent," Mthembu adds.

For most of the children it was their first time outside Pietermaritzburg, first time wearing and owning spectacles and first time seeing a movie on the big screen, says St John.

Attending the hand-over event were staff of the St John Eye Clinic, members of the St John Brigade, who lent a helping hand on the day, and leading community optometry specialists from Global Ophthalmic Institute, the professional Board of Optometry, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and community eye care specialists, Essilor.

In 2024, St John says that it was thrilled to partner with Woza Moya, in Hillcrest on the outskirts of Durban.

The Woza Moya project consists of approximately 180 crafters, mostly women, who earn a modest regular income by making craft. In many instances, these women are the sole breadwinners in their families. Very often their connection with Woza Moya is because they have family members living with HIV / AIDS at the Hillcrest AIDS Centre, says St John.

Many of these women were approaching the stage in their lives when their eyesight was deteriorating — especially when doing long hours of detailed beadwork and craft making. Restoring optimal sight to the crafters in need was life-changing for them, for their families and for their community. It allowed them to work comfortably to continue to make world-class art and craft products and continue to bring in wages into their homes.

St John concludes that it is offering free eye tests worth R170 at any of its centres in South Africa. These include:

  • Durban
  • Chris Hani Baragwanath
  • Braamfontein
  • Bloemfontein
  • Woodstock
  • Fish Hoek
  • Somerset West
  • East London, and
  • Gqeberha.

There are no restrictions, but you must make an appointment. Just have a picture or screenshot of the digital voucher on your phone.

For more information, visit www.stjohn.org.za.

*Image courtesy of contributor