The reach and impact of a Durban-based centre for visually impaired children from impoverished backgrounds has received a significant boost with the provision of a brand new mini-bus, replacing the need for the use of private staff vehicles for its wide transportation requirements.
The South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) recently donated the new vehicle to Bright Eyes Trust, enabling the Musgrave organisation to manage this service in-house, ensuring consistency, safety, and dignity.
The SAMCT also provided Bright Eyes Trust with an interactive self-learning Braille Device, a child-friendly tool designed especially for visually impaired learners. The device utilises touch, audio, and interactive play to teach Braille reading, writing, and typing at each student’s own pace.
Together, the SAMCT’s vehicle and braille device donation is valued at some R377 000.
Commenting on its financial assistance gesture, SAMCT representative, Mr Gaff Osman, said: “It had become essential to prioritise a dedicated vehicle, as the organisation could no longer expect or rely on staff to use their own private cars to fulfil its broad transportation needs. In addition, the provision of Annie – the braille learning tool – will give effect to promoting independent learning and is an excellent device for boosting the confidence of visually impaired learners.”
Bright Eyes Trust, established in 2009, is geared to specifically address structured early childhood programmes for visually impaired children from particularly impoverished backgrounds. The Centre offers specialised early intervention and stimulation that supports the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of blind and partially sighted children, while supporting their families through tailored resources and guidance. During the past 16 years, Bright Eyes Trust has expanded its programmes considerably, with every decision guided by a single principle: preparing visually impaired children for further education, confidence and a life of possibilities, equipping them to overcome the challenges of societal barriers.
Mr Osman said: “Learning of the centre’s long dependence on private staff vehicles for transporting children in its charge, the SAMCT was pleased to step in, eliminating unreliable, outsourced transport and the unsafe use of private cars. The dedicated mini-bus affords the centre the comfort of consistent, dignified service delivery, significantly augmenting its reach and impact going forward.”
“Furthermore, the addition of Annie to the organisation’s new Braille Unit adds great value to and an extension of its overall services,” Mr Osman added.
The SAMCT was created in 2008, the result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds. The organisation provides funding, services and other resources to improve the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has successfully delivered sizeable assistance solutions throughout
South Africa – irrespective of race or religion – and continues to work to support needy organisations in the fields of healthcare, social development, poverty alleviation and education. The organisation has long served as a pivotal conduit for the channelling of funding, vital services, and resources to approved public benefit organisations, and remains committed to catalysing positive change and creating a lasting impact on the development and upliftment of, especially, disadvantaged individuals and communities. Its funds are distributed to help improve the health and development of deserving people and organisations, irrespective of race or religion.
Mr Osman stressed: “Having a dedicated vehicle is essential to Bright Eyes Trust’s core operations and will now play a key role in providing safe, daily transport for learners and enabling access to vital aftercare programmes, therapeutic excursions and weekly hospital visits. Additionally, the mini-bus is critical for expanding community outreach, including an impactful eye screening project and for collecting and distributing food parcels. Coupled with this is the fact that with audio instructions, tactile cells and gamified lessons, Annie – the new braille device – will actively encourage independent learning amongst its young users.”
“We, of the SAMCT, are privileged to have been in a position to partner with Bright Eyes Trust, contributing towards the ongoing development of an environment which empowers visually impaired children, regardless of circumstances or barriers, to access education and be allowed to thrive and to overcome the challenges associated with their disabilities.”
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For media queries, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za
www.samct.co.za