THE Dr Macken Mistry Primary school community said it will forever be indebted to uMhlanga resident Angus Morrison. Being one of the oldest schools in the Newlands area, the school met Morrison through his employee’s daughter who is their learner at the school.
Even though the school does not qualify to be an underprivileged school, it mainly caters for children from poor backgrounds who, in most cases, can’t even afford school fees.
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It was after visiting the school and meeting the children that Morrison decided to better their lives. Having had vision problems himself, he said he could think of no better way of doing it besides helping the young ones with eye care.
“When Mr Angus came to us and offered to help our children go through eye tests, we thought that was brilliant because as a society we hardly pay attention to that aspect of our lives, especially our young ones. Most parents here can’t even afford school fees so to have their children get free tests and glasses was absolutely amazing,” said school principal, Pompey Sukool.
Working with Spec-Savers La Lucia, twice a week Morrison ensures that eight learners from their school get tested.
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“I drive the kids. I’m just the taxi driver. We provided teachers with basic test kits and workshops so that they can identify students that need to go for the tests. In some cases we have found that the child has a more serious problem and we had to refer them to McCord Provincial Eye Hospital,” said Morrison.
This programme is done through a Spec-Savers initiative, Kids Right to Good Sight where they provide free eye tests to children between the ages of six to 12 years. Since 2008 the initiative has helped almost 200 000 children. Among these are more than 30 Dr Macken Mistry Primary.
One of the beneficiaries Noxolo Majola said, “Getting glasses has helped me so much even my academics have improved. Before I used to get mild headaches which I assume were caused by straining my eyes.
“It is like I have entered a new world. Mr Angus is the kindest man I have met in my life. When no one would step up to help us, he did.”
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