In 2023, Amahle Miya found himself at a crossroads. A bright, compassionate young man thriving as a student-teacher at St Peter’s Prep, his world was rocked by the devastating loss of his mother. Shortly after, he began to lose his vision—a frightening diagnosis of keratoconus left him unable to recognise faces or read clearly in class. For someone whose life’s purpose was rooted in education and mentorship, the risk of blindness felt like a cruel second blow. Hot Cares stepped in to support him through the gift of sight, ensuring his dream of becoming a teacher didn’t end there.

Thanks to the funds raised during our annual Teddython, we were able to cover the cost of specialised lenses—restoring not only Amahle’s eyesight, but also his sense of dignity and purpose. What could have cost his family upwards of R60 000 instead became a moment of hope, powered by kindness.

“It felt like a dream,” Amahle recalls. “Like I needed to be pinched. The support Hot Cares came with was something I could never have imagined.”

Now back in the classroom, Amahle is not only able to see clearly—he’s able to teach clearly. With his vision restored, he’s reconnecting with his students, engaging more fully, and rediscovering the joy that first drew him to education.

“I felt alive for the first time in a long time,” he says. “If Hot Cares can do for others what they did for me, it would be incredible.”

Another remarkable example is Dean Mostert, a gifted young man whose failing vision threatened not only his independence but also his future in the workplace. Hot Cares stepped in to fund critical surgery for Dean, and today, his world is in focus once again.

With his eyesight restored, Dean tells us he is thriving—driving, working, and building a future filled with possibility. His confidence has soared, and the freedom that comes with restored sight is something he doesn’t take for granted. Like Amahle, Dean is proof of what’s possible when we come together to make a difference.

Because when you help a teacher, a student, or anyone in need of the gift of sight, you help change a life—and often, many more in the ripple effect.

Another powerful example of restored sight is Sister Subeshni Julies, clinic manager at Kalafong Hospital’s ophthalmology department. Despite her own vision loss from keratoconus, she’s continued to serve the communities of Atteridgeville and Laudium with unwavering dedication. With her condition worsening and her husband taking on extra work to transport her, Hot Cares stepped in to fund the specialised lenses she needed.

Today, Sister Julies is back to working independently, with renewed confidence and a little more family time—proof that helping those who help others creates a ripple of impact.

The gift of sight is a profound one—and thanks to the generosity of partners like St John South Africa, Hot Cares has been able to extend that gift even further. With a proud legacy of delivering essential, affordable vision care to communities across the country, St John donated five full eye care packages to Hot Cares. Each package included a comprehensive eye test and a pair of prescription spectacles tailored to the recipient’s needs.

The five individuals were given access to expert services at any of St John’s ten Eye Care Centres nationwide—locations that continue to serve as vital points of care for thousands of South Africans.