VisionSpring, the non-profit organisation dedicated to expanding access to eyeglasses worldwide, has convened various stakeholders from the tea sector for a significant event introducing their Livelihoods in Focus campaign. This campaign aims to strategically empower tea garden workers, artisans and micro-entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary eyewear, potentially unlocking more than Rs 300 crore in income-earning opportunities this year alone, according to an official release.
During the recent event, VisionSpring unveiled new partnerships with key entities such as the Indian Tea Association, Luxmi Tea Company Private Limited, Tea Promoters India, Tibetan Settlement Office, Saneki Weavers and All Assam India Small Tea Growers. Through these collaborations, the organisation aims to achieve a 55% vision correction rate via eye screenings and the distribution of eyeglasses, with an anticipated 80% rate among first-time wearers, the release mentioned.
The NGO claims that this initiative has attracted more than 100 senior leaders from the tea industry, government bodies, corporations, NGOs, family foundations and eye hospitals, all rallying behind the cause. VisionSpring also reported that it has already conducted vision screenings for more than 2,80,000 individuals, including more than two lakh tea and coffee plantation workers, as part of this effort.
“For tea garden workers, whose livelihoods hinge on precision and efficiency, clear sight is not just a preference but a necessity. By equipping them with clear vision through eyeglasses, we are not simply correcting eyesight; we are empowering tea garden workers to unlock their full potential,” Narayanan Kumar, board chair, VisionSpring India, said.
To expand the Livelihoods in Focus program further, VisionSpring calls upon partners from the tea industry, non-profit sector, corporations and government to join forces. With increased support, VisionSpring aims to screen the vision of more than 1.5 million tea and coffee workers and artisans across Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, as per the release.
“Clear vision not only enhances the overall well-being of hardworking tea garden workers but also holds the potential for transformative change in their lives. The efforts to prioritise and address clear vision, by VisionSpring Foundation, for tea garden workers are not just an investment in their individual health but a step towards fostering a healthier, more vibrant community,” Harkirat Singh Sidhu, consulting programme coordinator India, Rainforest Alliance, said.
