PNA Gives School Children Sight

8 March 2010

The Vision in Sight Trust
228 Nupen Crescent
Halfway House
Johannesburg
Contact: Cathy Franconi
Tel: 082 459 3593
E-mail: visioninsight@saoa.co.za

PNA Gives School Children Sight

A more focused study on school going children revealed that only 20% of those with refractive errors had their vision corrected through spectacles. A staggering 80% will struggle with learning and have fewer opportunities as a result of poor vision (OGS) At least 80% of what children learn is assimilated through their eyes. Vision problems can therefore adversely affect school achievement, sporting ability and by implication, social integration.

When assessing weaker learners who are not coping with their schoolwork, one of the first things to enquire about is whether they may require spectacles. Often learners have never been assessed by an optometrist and even with the recommendation; costs and time constraints make this difficult. As a result, some of the learners are struggling to cope because they simply need their vision corrected and this is causing over and above blurry vision, potentially headaches, stomach aches and nausea, as well as interrupting their learning process. Every learner should have their vision assessed regularly throughout their school career as this can be the simplest of difficulties
to correct and can make all the difference. ‘ - Corinne Lenferna De La Motte (Psychometrist)

Vision in Sight Trust and PNA believes in correcting sight to children, who are the future of our country. Sadly though, there are children in South Africa whose parents cannot afford eye care and are in desperate need of vision through the use of spectacles. That is why we will be providing corrective eye care to the many children in need at Park Senior School in Turfontein on the 11th March.

PNA in close collaboration with supplier partners, HP, Jetstream, Uniball, Signo, Pritt, Fiskars, GBC, Rexel and Bantex, ran an in store campaign last year where R1 of every flagged product sold within the 47 PNA stores, was to be donated to The Vision in Sight Trust (The fundraising leg of The South African Optometric Association) which provides eye care to indigent communities throughout South Africa.

The 'Give The Gift of Sight' campaign was all about PNA Giving back to our future leaders. We are proud to support a cause that creates opportunities for a better life through sight and thus being able to read,” said Herman Botha - General Manager - PNA.