10 October is World Sight Day – a global day of awareness that draws attention to vision impairment and the millions of people who lack access to essential vision care services. This year, at Breadline Africa, we’re reflecting on how vision care plays a crucial role in educational success, particularly in the underserved communities where we have established libraries. Our recent project at Bonga Primary School is a testament to the powerful synergy between literacy and vision care.
In collaboration with the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, and James and Colin Bloom, a vision clinic was held at Bonga Primary School in August this year to address an often-overlooked issue: while children had access to books in the school’s new library, many struggled to read simply because they couldn’t see. This realisation came to light thanks to our dedicated supporters, the Bloom brothers, who initiated the library and vision clinic project to provide children with the tools they need to learn and succeed.
James and Colin Bloom, the dynamic siblings behind Libraries for Literacy, are no strangers to the educational landscape in South Africa. At just 18 and 15 years old respectively, they have already made a tremendous impact by funding and establishing libraries in four under-resourced South African schools in partnership with Breadline Africa. Their journey began with an eye-opening experience in a grocery store that led them to create Libraries for Literacy. We recently spoke with them to delve deeper into their story and their commitment to tackling literacy and vision care, one school at a time.
In conversation with James and Colin Bloom
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What inspired you both to focus on providing literacy and access to books for children in underserved communities?
“We were walking down a grocery store aisle in South Africa when we noticed that all the packaged food had pictures of what was inside. We were used to packages that just had the name of the food, like ‘Campbell’s Tomato Soup.’ When we asked our dad why all the food had pictures, he explained that a lot of people in South Africa couldn’t read. We believe that literacy is a fundamental human right, and we were determined to do something. Our commitment to improve literacy in South Africa led us to found Libraries for Literacy to establish libraries at under-resourced South African schools.”
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Give a short history of your work with Breadline Africa.
“In 2021, we were planning our second library at a school in a very remote area of KwaZulu Natal, but the school did not have a building to house the library! We had partnered with Room to Read South Africa, and they suggested we reach out to Breadline Africa. From the very first time we contacted the organisation, they have been amazing partners! They provided a repurposed shipping container for the KwaZulu Natal library, and since then, we’ve partnered on three more libraries and are currently working on our fourth together. Breadline Africa has been a catalytic partner, and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing support!”
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Why do you believe it is crucial for children to have access to libraries and reading material in today’s world?
“Libraries are transformational in many different ways. First, libraries play a critical role in teaching literacy. You can’t learn to read without access to books, and reading is essential in today’s world – from understanding medicine labels to filling out job applications. In addition, reading is the foundation for all learning: children first learn to read and then read to learn. Literacy is a generational issue, so by teaching children to read, you ensure that their own children grow up in a home with books and learn to read. Lastly, libraries provide access to diverse books, offering children new ideas, cultures and worlds to explore. Books are portals to different experiences and adventures that every child should have access to.”
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What led you to take an interest in vision care as part of the literacy journey, and how do you think it impacts a child’s ability to learn?
“Each summer, we return to volunteer at the libraries we’ve established in South Africa, reading to students, helping them choose books and using literacy games to make reading fun. While working with a struggling student, we discovered that it was not literacy that was the root cause of their struggle, but rather poor vision. This is a common problem, and the Vision Council of America estimates that 80% of children with learning disabilities have undiagnosed vision problems. Recognising the unmet need for vision care in under-resourced communities, we made it a priority to incorporate vision testing into our libraries.”
Breaking down barriers to learning
The Bloom brothers’ dedication to incorporating vision care into their literacy programmes speaks to a broader issue faced by many South African children. Even with access to books, undiagnosed vision issues can hinder learning and contribute to poor academic performance. This is why, following the success of the Bonga Primary School vision clinic, the brothers are committed to holding additional clinics at each new library they establish.
In celebration of World Sight Day, Breadline Africa, with the support of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and partners like the Bloom brothers, wants to emphasise that access to education is not just about books and buildings. It’s about seeing clearly, learning confidently and reaching their full potential. The recent clinic at Bonga Primary School provided more than 150 children with free glasses, ensuring they can now fully participate in their education.
Creating lasting change for future generations
The Bloom brothers’ journey to support literacy and vision care is a story of hope and perseverance. “The South African human rights activist, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu once said, ‘there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time,’” says Colin. “Tackling literacy can feel overwhelming, but we’ve tried to take it one bite at a time. By building the library and providing vision care, we hope to create lifelong readers who excel in school, improve their future career opportunities and share their love of reading with their siblings and, eventually, their own kids. This will help break the cycle of educational disadvantage and create lasting change for future generations.”
Help us create a brighter future for South African children
You can be part of this incredible journey by supporting our efforts to bring libraries and vision clinics to even more schools. Make a donation today to help fund life-changing initiatives that provide children with the tools they need to succeed. If you’re interested in exploring opportunities to collaborate and work together, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to discuss how we can create lasting impact for South Africa’s next generation of learners.
