With the help of Specsavers, The Hope Foundation established a Blindness Eradication Programme in Kolkata across street and slum communities and schools through community based camps and special eye clinics in the HOPE Hospital.
The project is for people who are living in street and slum communities and have no access to affordable healthcare. It aims to increase awareness of eye health and the need for check-ups. Eye-screening and check-up camps are run in schools and communities, with treatment provided in HOPE Hospital as necessary.
HOPE’s relationship with Specsavers started in 2017 when store partner Lisa Walsh decided to travel to Kolkata along with three other Specsavers colleagues to support the eye clinic. On her return, Lisa spoke to stores about the work she did, and the group voted to nominate Hope as a charity partner, first signing up to a three-year relationship.
Specsavers marketing team also came onboard to support by part-funding the running of the eye clinic. Outside of funding the eye clinic, partners have also fund-raised to purchase much needed optical equipment for HOPE Hospital.