What is the Pala Eyewear Project?
Pala began life in 2016, founded on the ambition to produce high quality, long-lasting eyewear to fund change in eyecare in Africa. In his early twenties, founder John Pritchard was fortunate enough to travel to numerous countries across Africa and find a real connection with the people, culture and stunning landscape. Years later, after reading an article on the global problem of a lack of access to eyecare, the seed was sown… With 1.2 billion people worldwide suffering from poor vision due to an inability to receive basic surgery or access glasses—and Africa having 73% more visually impaired people than any other region—the mission became crystal clear. A pair of glasses is recognised as the number one tool to fight poverty; it literally empowers the wearer to read, learn, and work, bringing real change to communities.
Main Benefit of the Project
- Addresses the global vision crisis affecting 1.2 billion people.
- Targets Africa, where there are 73% more visually impaired people than anywhere else.
- Transforms lives by providing a tool to combat poverty through enhanced sight.
- Launched on May 21, 2016, with a memorable first sale to Mr D. Jenkins, who went on to become a loyal customer.
- Empowers communities through partnerships that refurbish vision centres and offer sustainable aid.
Journey to Impact
Beginning with its official launch in 2016, Pala made an immediate mark with its first ever sale on May 21—a day that set the course for a journey filled with passion and purpose. By the end of that inaugural year, founder John Pritchard and team members like Jamie were out in the field, covering outreach projects with charity partner Vision Action (formerly Vision Aid Overseas). Fast-forward to 2017, the company moved its stock to its first warehouse after selling more than 1,000 pairs of sunglasses—a milestone that solidified its commitment to sustainable business practices and meaningful change. This journey is punctuated by moments of hard work, memorable collaborations, and a resolute focus on putting people and the planet front and centre in every decision.
Sustainable Partnerships
Throughout its evolution, Pala Eyewear has struck partnerships that bolster its mission. The work with charity partner Vision Action has led to significant projects, such as the refurbishment of a vision centre in Chinsali, Zambia—now serving over 75,000 people and seeing 2,500 patients per year. In 2018, a collaboration with Atmosfair.de began, offsetting CO2 through donations that support efficient cookstoves in Uganda. There were also engaging trips to Ghana to spend time with the weavers behind the cases—each collaboration reinforcing the belief that sustainable partnerships can drive both environmental and social change… Pala’s minor tweaks and continual improvements in operations underscore the commitment to ethical practices and tangible impact.
Achievements and Recognitions
Pala’s timeline is lined with milestones that reveal a dedication to both ethical business and sustainable innovation. In 2018, the Pala family grew as Rebecca came on board to manage marketing, and the brand celebrated its first commercial order with the Williams Racing team. Notably, in 2019, the brand won the ‘Be the Change’ Award for ethical and sustainable brands—a proud moment that highlighted its impactful mission. That year also saw the arrival of new talent such as photographer Felicia, whose work in Lanzarote helped capture the essence of the new collection. The incorporation of recycled and bio-based frames led Pala to become one of the first brands to receive the coveted Eco Age brandmark, while John Pritchard himself became a regional finalist in the ‘Entrepreneur for Good’ category at the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Evolution in Production and Design
With an eye always on sustainability, Pala moved production to Italy in 2021, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and embracing a small batch production approach to better manage stock and eliminate overproduction. This shift also meant benefitting from the exceptional craftsmanship of the Marchese family, who became the new makers behind the glasses. In the same year, the brand launched its first design collaboration with sustainable living advocate Madeleine Olivia—evidence of an evolving ethos that marries impeccable design with responsible production. Each step in this evolution represents a blend of heritage, modern innovation, and an ever-deepening respect for both people and the environment.
Project Impact
- SDG 1: No Poverty – Empowering individuals by enhancing their ability to learn and work.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being – Improving health outcomes through better access to eyecare.
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Enabling education by ensuring one would be able to read and learn.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Creating equitable opportunities through accessible eyecare solutions.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Promoting sustainability with recycled materials and ethical manufacturing practices.
Modern Vision for the Future
In 2023, a turning point arrived as founder John Pritchard stepped back from day-to-day operations, signaling a mature evolution of the brand. At the same time, Pala joined forces with Coral Eyewear—a fellow British brand renowned for creating products from recycled plastic—in an effort to expand the accessibility of its prescription glasses. This collaboration aimed to further strengthen the link between innovative design and tangible societal benefit, by working closely with independent opticians across the UK. The journey continues, propelled by an enduring focus on ethical sourcing, environmental responsibility, and the creativity that defines the evolving world of sustainable eyewear… The narrative of Pala Eyewear remains a testament to the power of vision—in every sense of the word.
