VDM Optometrists: A Valued Partner in Changing Children’s Lives

At Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation, our mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to the mental health and developmental support they need to thrive. One of the key components of that support is ensuring that children’s vision, often an overlooked aspect of their overall health, is assessed and addressed. That’s why our partnership with VDM Optometrists has been so vital in helping us make a meaningful difference in the lives of children from underprivileged communities.

VDM Optometrists have been an essential part of our volunteer network, conducting free visual assessments for the children we screen and referring those in need of further care. But their contributions go far beyond just visual assessments—they have also donated free glasses to children who require them and screened for dyslexia, providing the gift of sight and reading to those who may have otherwise continued to struggle in silence.

A Partnership That Makes an Impact

VDM Optometrists’ impact can be seen clearly in the numbers. Over the past three years, they have assisted us in providing 103 appointments to children, which included visual assessments for the children identified through our programs. These assessments have helped us detect undiagnosed vision problems and dyslexia that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. The breakdown of their work includes:

• – 2022: 22 appointments
• – 2023: 50 appointments
• – 2024: 31 appointments (so far)

These numbers represent more than just appointments—they represent children who can now see their schoolbooks clearly, participate fully in their education, and experience life with the clarity they deserve. Each visual assessment and every pair of glasses provided by VDM Optometrists is an opportunity for these children to overcome obstacles that were holding them back, both in the classroom and in their daily lives.

More Than Just Vision Care: A Relationship Built on Shared Values

What makes our partnership with VDM Optometrists so special is that they don’t just view their contribution as a medical service but as a meaningful investment in the future of every child they help. Their commitment to providing free glasses has given many of our children a new lease on life. For a child who has been struggling to see, a pair of glasses can be life-changing, restoring their confidence and ability to learn.

Many of the children we screen come from communities where access to eye care is not readily available, and without VDM Optometrists, these children would likely continue to face significant challenges both academically and socially. Their ability to detect and address vision issues is a vital part of our multidisciplinary approach to early intervention by supporting the mental health and development of the children we serve.

A Shared Commitment to a Brighter Future

VDM Optometrists has not only provided much-needed eye care but has also become an integral part of our broader mission. Together, we are not just helping children see better; we are helping them be better, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in school, develop confidence, and realise their full potential.

At Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation, we deeply value the compassion and dedication that VDM Optometrists bring to our partnership. Their generosity and unwavering commitment to providing free, high-quality care have made them a trusted and essential partner in our efforts to create brighter futures for South Africa’s children.

Through our relationship, we are transforming the lives of countless children—one vision test, one pair of glasses, and one opportunity at a time.