SPEC Foundation News Blog

In an important step toward strengthening its impact across the Pacific region, the South Pacific Eye Care Foundation  has applied for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR)  status with the Australian Taxation Office — a move that promises to unlock greater support for its vital mission of delivering free eye care and glasses to disadvantaged communities. Many people in the region lack access to basic eye health services due to geographic isolation, limited healthcare resources and

This year’s ODA Fiji Outreach was an extraordinary testament to what a group of passionate eyecare professionals can achieve together.  Our volunteer team, made up of 10 dedicated optical dispensers from Australia, two talented dispensing opticians from New Zealand, two passionate Australian optometrists and team members from Opticare - The Eye Centre and Christian Helps, was truly an 11 out of 10. We couldn’t have wished for a better group to share this life-changing journey

Fiji is a stunning holiday destination in the South Pacific and home to 936,000 Fijians. Unfortunately, what many people don't realise is that it has one of the most underfunded health care systems in the world and approximately 40% of the population live below the poverty line. In July 2024 ODA embarked on a journey to the Viti Levu Island and provided vision screening to approximately 1,300 people and dispensed over 400 pairs of glasses via a mobile clinic. The work was...