27 Jun 2021

Children in the wilderness (CITW) beneficiaries in villages closer to Mashatu Game Rerserve will receive free eye test and those with need will subsequently receive free spectacles to correct their sight problems.

The first of its kind, the eye test initiative will be conducted by a group of seven volunteers from Cape Town, South Africa. 

Of the seven, one is an eye specialist, two children and ordinary volunteers.

The team will be joined by managers from Dopota and Jwala privately owned game reserve managers and Bobirwa CITW coordinator Ms Tanya McKenzie.

In addition the schools from Motlhabaneng, Lentswelemoriti and Mathathane (MOLEMA) as well as Mabolwe, Semolale and Gobojango (MASEGO) would provide executive commitee members who would spearhead the whole process, according to Semolale Primary School eco coordinator Ms Boammaaruri Bagwasi.

A donation from Tuli Conservation Trust, Lady Khama Trust and 4×4 Outfar seeks to test over 2 500 pupils in a period of five days.

The donation was partly due to the realisation that children in the outskirts of developed areas rarely received services such as eye tests due to limited resources.

The tests will start today at Lentswelemoriti before heading to Motlhabaneng same day. 

The team will then head to Mathathane tommorrow before descending at Gobojango June 30.

Ms Bagwasi said the team would not only test pupils, but even those that dealt with learners such as teachers and workers at the schools.

However, the tests would not extend to parents and guardians, Ms Bagwasi cleared. Ends