VisionSpring To Screen Vision Of 1.05 Lakh Tea Gardeners, Artisans In Assam
VisionSpring in Assam on Wednesday launched Livelihoods in Focus, a campaign that will unlock USD 13.5 million in income earning potential this year for tea garden workers, artisans and micro-entrepreneurs who gain clear vision with eyeglasses.
Through the campaign, VisionSpring, together with corporate, NGO and government partners, will screen the vision of 1.05 lakh people who need to see clearly to sustain their incomes. They expect 63,000 people will acquire eyeglasses in 2023 so they can see well and do well. The 2023 commitment is part of a larger aspiration to reach 10 lakh (1 million) low-income people in tea growing regions and establish Assam as a clear vision state.
Ella Gudwin, CEO of VisionSpring said, “60 crore (600 million) people in India need eyeglasses to earn, learn and drive safely. This is a solvable problem. By serving low-income workers whose occupations require clear vision, especially at near distances, we can help people maintain their livelihoods and provide for their families. Focusing on districts in Assam with large numbers of tea workers and artisans will also improve productivity in sectors responsible for a majority of the state’s GDP.”
Anshu Taneja, MD, VisionSpring said, “We have witnessed first-hand a huge unmet need for eye-screening services and eyeglasses, and we know thatLivelihoods in Focusin Assam will help close this gap. Everyone can play a role in solving this problem—corporates, hospitals, government agencies, and others. This is joyful work and we invite you to join us.”
To date VisionSpring has carried out 82,000 vision screenings in Assam. Of people screened through their programs, 65 per cent require eyeglasses. Of those, 75-90 per cent are getting their first-ever pair. Till date VisionSpring has provided 236,000 eyeglasses in the state of Assam, India.
