Nouveau Eyewear Provides Vision Screenings for Thousands in South Africa

Dallas, TX, September 22, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Nouveau Eyewear kicked off a series of screenings in an effort to bring healthcare to more than 2000 children in South Africa. Since its launch in April, the Bona Bolo (“see the ball”) campaign has gained momentum and brought much needed health care to over 650 children. With a goal of screening 2020 youth by the end of the year, the project is well on its way to making a difference for thousands.

To date, three very successful events have been held to aid youth in rural and semi-rural areas. Most recently, Nouveau partnered with the Dreamfields Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the game of soccer to rural South Africa. Together, the soccer team rode alongside students from the University of Limpopo School of Optometry for six hours to reach the remote city of Tjakastad. Children in this region must travel over 60 miles to see an optometrist. The distance alone discourages youth, along with families, from seeking preventive care. When coupled with the medical expenses, few children have the opportunity for regular screenings. With the help of the Bona Bolo project, almost 200 children received a free evaluation at this screening alone.

At each event, children who are found to require vision correction receive vouchers for free frames and prescription lenses. Nouveau donates Umbro frames, a collection of eyewear geared toward the soccer enthusiast and Essilor provides prescription lenses. In addition Bona Bolo is made possible through the help of the South African Optometric Association (SAOA) and Myoptics, the exclusive Umbro eyewear distributor in South Africa.

According to Faith Chabedi, former president of the SAOA and the coordinator of Bona Bolo campaign, quality health care in the public sector is still developing and eyecare services are not accessible to all. Nearly 80% of the population is currently uninsured and many children live with uncorrected refractive errors and other eye conditions. Campaign leaders are currently working toward holding a fourth event at Bloemfontein in the Free State province.

For more information on the Bona Bolo screenings, please contact Faith Chabedi at 0823304691 or Elena Brugnera Muraro, International Marketing at Nouveau Eyewear, at 972-242-3633 ext. 249.

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