This year’s tournament will support Awqaf SA’s Cataract Project.
Cataracts is the leading cause of blindness, accounting for 50% of blindness worldwide, while the World Health Organisation estimates indicate that 1.2% of the entire population of Africa is blind, and that cataract causes 36% of this blindness.
Poverty plays a leading role in the high prevalence of age-related visual impairment, indicating the lack of eye care services in the low-income or previously disadvantages communities, along with the inability to pay for eye-care. Loss of vision can affect all ages, yet majority of people with vision impairment and blindness are over the age of 50.
Awqaf SA in partnership with a number of like-minded individuals and institutions are collaborating to give the gift of sight, and end treatable blindness.
The cost attached to cataract removal surgery is in excess of R30,000 per patient. Through this project, Awqaf SA and its partners have successfully conducted over 8,000 free cataract operations, giving precious eyesight to those people lost in the gloom of long waiting lists.
Through this community cricket, Awqaf SA will be using the platform for raise awareness about treatable blindness and will be calling on corporates across South Africa to join them in their mission to provide this life-changing procedure to more vulnerable people.
This can be done by sponsoring R2,500 towards every four or R5,000 for six that is hit during the tournament. Members of the public can also get support this noble cause by making a monetary donation. All proceeds raised will go towards the cataract project.