APM Terminal partners foundation to support truck drivers with free eye test, corrective glasses
APM Terminals in Kenya teamed up
with nonprofit group, TwoBillionEyes Foundation, to provide vision improvement
access to truck drivers at Great Lakes Ports Limited and economic opportunities
for some of Kenya’s unemployed youth.
with nonprofit group, TwoBillionEyes Foundation, to provide vision improvement
access to truck drivers at Great Lakes Ports Limited and economic opportunities
for some of Kenya’s unemployed youth.
Poor vision is a global issue
affecting 2.5 billion people, according to information from TwoBillionEyes.
affecting 2.5 billion people, according to information from TwoBillionEyes.
Meanwhile, youth unemployment is a challenge across Africa, with Kenya posting
a 39.1 percent unemployment rate based on the United Nations Human Development
Index 2017 report.
a 39.1 percent unemployment rate based on the United Nations Human Development
Index 2017 report.
Commenting on the initiative, Wouter
De Gier, Head of Safety, Environment and Performance Management, APM Terminals,
says, “APM Terminals is committed to creating meaningful impact to the
communities where we operate.
De Gier, Head of Safety, Environment and Performance Management, APM Terminals,
says, “APM Terminals is committed to creating meaningful impact to the
communities where we operate.
“We are delighted to collaborate with
TwoBillionEyes to promote among our driver partners the importance of proper
vision that leads to road safety, as well as to provide economic opportunities
among the youth in Kenya.”
TwoBillionEyes to promote among our driver partners the importance of proper
vision that leads to road safety, as well as to provide economic opportunities
among the youth in Kenya.”
The partnership resulted in a free
eye check-up camp held from 27 August to 13 September 2018, benefiting 550
truck drivers who ply the Mombasa roads.
eye check-up camp held from 27 August to 13 September 2018, benefiting 550
truck drivers who ply the Mombasa roads.
The vision testing made use of the
0.66 minimum Kenyan requirement for driving. Of this number, 14 percent or 77
drivers were fitted and issued with eyeglasses on the spot to improve their
vision.
0.66 minimum Kenyan requirement for driving. Of this number, 14 percent or 77
drivers were fitted and issued with eyeglasses on the spot to improve their
vision.
Conducting the vision testing were
eight unemployed youth branded as VisionVijana agents (Vijana means youth in Swahili).
eight unemployed youth branded as VisionVijana agents (Vijana means youth in Swahili).
These agents were selected through
a rigorous recruitment process from a pool of youth applicants.
a rigorous recruitment process from a pool of youth applicants.
Following the
selection process, the agents participated in two intensive weeks of technical
training from licensed professionals, empowering them to conduct the vision
testing with confidence and subsequently receive compensation.
selection process, the agents participated in two intensive weeks of technical
training from licensed professionals, empowering them to conduct the vision
testing with confidence and subsequently receive compensation.
Tito Okuku, Managing Director of
Great Lakes Ports Limited, APM Terminals Kenya adds, “Uncorrected vision could
not only derail our operations but also compromise the business of our
customers and trade partners. We want to ensure that our driver partners see
clearly so they can deliver customer cargoes safely and on time.”
Great Lakes Ports Limited, APM Terminals Kenya adds, “Uncorrected vision could
not only derail our operations but also compromise the business of our
customers and trade partners. We want to ensure that our driver partners see
clearly so they can deliver customer cargoes safely and on time.”
