Global Foundation Kickstarts Rural Optometry Businesses Through Graduate Development Programme
The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation believes in a world where everyone can see more and be more. Reflecting the ambition and commitment of EssilorLuxottica to eliminate uncorrected poor vision in a generation, the Foundation leverages an innovative approach to philanthropy, partnerships and raising awareness to create sustainable access to vision care.
The Foundation’s work focuses on partnering with governments, NGOs and like-minded private organisations to create sustainable access to vision care, provide free eye exams and glasses for the people most in need, fund local vision care programs and raise awareness of poor vision among policy makers and at a community level. Adding to their track record of impact since launching in South Africa in 2018, the Foundation has implemented a graduate development programme in partnership with four universities as part of its mission to make vision care more accessible.
“The project called Vula Amehlo meaning ‘open your eyes’ is not just a healthcare solution, but a rural economic development programme, because it empowers Optometry graduates to open their own eye care business in a rural location that has no current access to such services,” says Lameez Eksteen: Country Manager for the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation in South Africa.
Graduates that have not found permanent employment were nominated by their universities for the Vula Amehlo program. They were enrolled in an Entrepreneurship course, followed by a competency test. Successful students were then tasked to find a location meeting specific criteria to open their own optical shop. The project will launch in a phased approach, with 7 sites in Limpopo followed by 2 sites in KZN and 1 in Gauteng.
OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation will cover the costs for shopfitting the prefabricated units from which the business will operate. The Foundation will further cover the transport from the manufacturer to the approved location, rent for 2 years, equipment, a 3-month supply of spectacles and ongoing training and mentorship. Each practice is valued at a start-up cost of R2 million. The entrepreneur will own and run it as an independent business going forward, with guidance from a business mentor.
“We are excited about furthering the reach of vision care services more widely across South Africa, but also to actively contribute to job creation for graduates who have invested in their education towards an aspect of healthcare where great need still exists,” added Eksteen. The optical shops will be clearly identifiable by the OneSight EssilorLuxottica branding and are strategically being opened near public transport and natural high foot traffic areas to ensure ease of access for communities.
