Groundbreaking Collaboration Brings Free Vision Care to Zambian Schoolchildren
In a landmark partnership, the Roger Federer Foundation and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation completed their first joint outreach program in Zambia, delivering no-cost vision screenings and eyewear to thousands of young students. The effort, timed with World Sight Day on October 9, focused on schoolchildren in the Mazabuka, Mbala, and Nyimba districts and targeted early literacy and learning readiness in partnership with local education initiatives.
Scale and Scope of the Pilot Program
During the initial phase, more than 2,700 children received vision screenings across community schools supported by organizations like Reformed Open Community Schools (ROCS) and Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS). The program also provided prescription eyewear or sunglasses on-site to over 200 beneficiaries, ensuring immediate access to vision correction that can directly impact classroom participation, reading fluency, and overall academic performance.
How the Partnership Works
This pilot marks the first formal collaboration between the Roger Federer Foundation and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation. The Roger Federer Foundation contributes a strong on-the-ground presence in Zambia’s education sector, leveraging its School Readiness Initiative to prepare young learners for success. The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation brings global expertise in vision care delivery, with capabilities spanning screenings, dispensing eyewear, and data collection for program evaluation.
The joint approach also emphasizes coordination with teachers, school administrators, and local partners to maximize outreach. Federations within the community schools organized access to facilities and mobilized families, while the vision specialists conducted screenings, prescribed corrective lenses, and tracked outcomes for future improvements.
From Screening to Sustainable Learning
Beyond immediate eye care, organizers stress that the initiative is designed for sustainability. The partners plan to broaden the project to include training for teachers so they can perform basic vision screenings, recognize signs of vision problems, and make timely referrals to vision centers. Integrating vision checks into enrollment processes is part of a longer-term strategy to normalize early detection and ensure that vision issues do not hinder education.
Leadership and Vision
Speaking about the collaboration, Anurag Hans, head of mission at EssilorLuxottica and president of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, highlighted the transformative potential of good vision. “Good vision is one of the most powerful enablers of learning and opportunity,” Hans said. “By joining forces with the Roger Federer Foundation, we are ensuring that children in Zambia can fully participate in education and unlock their potential.”
Background and Shared Commitments
The Roger Federer Foundation, founded by tennis legend Roger Federer, has been operating since 2003 with a focus on early learning and improving teaching quality. Its work in Zambia includes partnerships with local education nonprofits and a commitment to SDG 4.2, which aims to ensure access to quality early childhood development and pre-primary education for all children by 2030. The organization’s broader mission centers on empowering educators, mobilizing communities, and expanding learning opportunities across multiple provinces in Zambia and neighboring countries.
Looking Ahead
With the success of the pilot, the partners are poised to expand the reach of their vision care program. The consolidated evaluation report to be produced by the Foundation will guide the next phase, ensuring that lessons learned inform scalable, sustainable practices that can be replicated beyond Zambia. The ultimate goal is simple: help every child see clearly so they can learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
As the global community continues to address barriers to education, initiatives like this collaboration between the Roger Federer Foundation and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation demonstrate how cross-border partnerships can deliver practical health services that directly enhance learning outcomes for vulnerable populations.
