Peru: Accessible vision care for communities
Providing accessible eye care and empowering single mothers
Access to quality eye care remains limited for many low-income communities in Lima, particularly in Pueblos Jóvenes (informal settlements). Vision problems can significantly affect daily life, education, and overall wellbeing, making accessible solutions essential.
Since 2023, we have supported an initiative to provide accessible eye care services in underserved neighbourhoods of Lima. Through mobile campaigns, individuals receive free eye examinations and, where needed, immediate access to corrective spectacles.
These campaigns also include awareness activities highlighting the importance of maintaining good eye health and encouraging regular eye check-ups. To date, this initiative has enabled more than 20,300 people to benefit from free eye tests, with thousands receiving corrective glasses when needed.
Initially focused on children, the project has progressively expanded to include disadvantaged adults and elderly people, ensuring a broader and more inclusive approach to eye care.
Campaign days are held in a variety of community settings, including schools, health centres, and public spaces, making services accessible to a wide range of people.
Creating local employment opportunities
In parallel, the project creates meaningful employment opportunities for single mothers, who are trained and employed to manufacture and assemble the spectacles provided during the campaigns. This component notably supports income-generation.
Givaudan volunteers play an active role in the implementation of the project. During campaign days, they support logistics, assist with participant registration, help guide individuals through the eye examination process, and assist with the fitting of glasses.
Their engagement also contributes to raising awareness within communities about the importance of eye health.