A Specsavers Hamilton team member will journey to South Africa and help people with limited access to eye care. Tatiana Duzy, who is studying optometry, will spend a month in the country supporting the provision of eye tests and glasses.
Volunteering on the Phelophepa Healthcare Train
She will be combining clinical learning with two weeks of volunteering aboard the Phelophepa Healthcare Train. The fully-equipped mobile healthcare clinic travels to rural and disadvantaged communities across South Africa, providing healthcare services to people who may otherwise have little or no access to care.
As part of the train's eye clinic team, Tatiana will support the delivery of eye care services, including eye tests, dispensing glasses and providing practical eye health advice to adults and children.
Clinical learning in Bloemfontein
Before joining the train, she will spend a week undertaking clinical learning at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, where she will gain further experience and learn alongside local optometrists.
Tatiana, who is currently studying optometry in Scotland alongside her role at the locally-owned and run Specsavers store, said: "The opportunity to combine education with volunteering in communities where access to eye care is so limited is something I've been looking forward to for a long time.
"More than anything, I'm looking forward to meeting the people and having the opportunity to play a small part in making a real difference to their lives.
"The Phelophepa Healthcare Train means so much to the communities it reaches. I'm looking forward to learning more about the communities it supports and the difference the service can make to people's lives.
"To know that something as simple as an eye test and a pair of glasses could allow someone to see more clearly and make a difference to their everyday life is what makes this opportunity so special to me."
Unique learning experience
The placement will also give Tatiana the opportunity to gain experience of seeing more people and encountering a wider range of eye conditions than she may typically see in the UK.
She added: "It's a unique learning experience that I'm incredibly grateful to be a part of.
"I know this placement will challenge me both personally and professionally. It will help me become a more confident and capable clinician, but more importantly, I hope it will make me even more compassionate.
"Being able to use the skills I'm developing to help people who might otherwise have limited access to eye care is a privilege, and I have no doubt this experience will stay with me throughout my career as an optometrist."
Samantha Davidson, store director at Specsavers Hamilton, said: "We are all incredibly proud of Tatiana and the commitment she has shown to using her skills to help people who may otherwise struggle to access eye care.
"This is an excellent opportunity for her to make a difference to people in communities she visits, while also gaining invaluable clinical experience that will support her development as an optometrist.
"Tatiana is a dedicated and compassionate member of our team, and we know she will approach this placement with the same care, professionalism and enthusiasm that she demonstrates every day in the store.
"The entire Specsavers Hamilton team wishes her the very best for her trip, and we look forward to hearing about her experiences when she returns."
The Phelophepa Healthcare Train brings a range of healthcare services directly to communities across South Africa, helping to overcome geographical and financial barriers that can prevent people from accessing essential healthcare.
