Monday, August 18, 2008
The biggest smile.
Today was a start of a new week. The rain welcomed us as we drove up to the clinic. We all did not know what to expect. But today i think my heart melted. A woman walked up to receive her glasses. Quietly she stood there as i looked at her perscription. I am sorry but i can not describe the smile that appeared on her face. She could now see the world differently. Looking back i could say i helped her see , but i know in the end my team and all the donars helped this woman see. So when i come home i know that just one out of many has a new life. miguel morales
Friday, August 15, 2008
Friday, August 15
Today was a fabulous day. We saw nearly 1800 people. We were all exhausted, but worked really well as a team to give every patient the very best care. The most touching story is of a year old little girl that came in lead by her father. They had been told that she would never see because she had a tumor of the eye. When we put her on the autorefractor, she came up as a -20. Thankfully one of our team members had brought along a pair that worked out perfectly for this girl. When she put on her glasses, she reached out and touched her father´s face...the smile on her face lit up the room. At first she was a little afraid to walk on her own, as she had always been lead around, but soon she figured out that it was safe...she touched our hearts.
Another great thing that we learned today was that the local Lions Club had a great process set up to see our referrals. This country, like most that we´ve visited, has a great deal of patients with cataract and we have to leave them to find their own doctors. The Lions Club is also setting up a diabetes screening station and talking to people about immunizations, etc.
Tomorrow, being Saturday, is expected to be another BIG day. We plan to hit 2000!
Another great thing that we learned today was that the local Lions Club had a great process set up to see our referrals. This country, like most that we´ve visited, has a great deal of patients with cataract and we have to leave them to find their own doctors. The Lions Club is also setting up a diabetes screening station and talking to people about immunizations, etc.
Tomorrow, being Saturday, is expected to be another BIG day. We plan to hit 2000!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Day 4
Hurrah! We´re finally all here! The first night 23 people spent the night in Dallas. The second day 13 people spent the night at the Buenos Aires airport. After that, I forgot who stayed where, but today, finally everyone is here.
Our hotel is charming. It´s the only hotel that we´ve every stayed in that you can take a shower, wash your clothes and clean the entire bathroom...all at once. The shower sprays every where...and of course, it is cold water!
Clinic has been wonderful. We´ve seen approximately 2000 people in 1 1-2 day, with a limited staff. Several Peace Corp workers are helping us. They are extremely helpful and interesting. They´re teaching us alot.
As far as clinic, the people have been very grateful. Today we have several people with extremely strong prescriptions that we were able to help. Lots of smiles. Oh...and the women in this village are styling with great plano sunglasses!
Chicken, Chicken, Chicken...that´s what we´ve had every meal.
The highlight of our Monday was when one of the docs decorated his bathroom. It is all decked out with a whate shower curtain, rug, toilet brush and plunger. We all had a tour.
That´s it from Paraguay. Stay tuned.
p.s. Room 3, 12 and 14....big snorers
Our hotel is charming. It´s the only hotel that we´ve every stayed in that you can take a shower, wash your clothes and clean the entire bathroom...all at once. The shower sprays every where...and of course, it is cold water!
Clinic has been wonderful. We´ve seen approximately 2000 people in 1 1-2 day, with a limited staff. Several Peace Corp workers are helping us. They are extremely helpful and interesting. They´re teaching us alot.
As far as clinic, the people have been very grateful. Today we have several people with extremely strong prescriptions that we were able to help. Lots of smiles. Oh...and the women in this village are styling with great plano sunglasses!
Chicken, Chicken, Chicken...that´s what we´ve had every meal.
The highlight of our Monday was when one of the docs decorated his bathroom. It is all decked out with a whate shower curtain, rug, toilet brush and plunger. We all had a tour.
That´s it from Paraguay. Stay tuned.
p.s. Room 3, 12 and 14....big snorers
Monday, August 4, 2008
A week from now we will all be either in route or in Paraguay! The local Lions Club is busy preparing for our visit...setting up eye exam appointments, etc. We plan to see at least 20,000 people, so be sure and bring comfortable shoes. See you soon!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Paraguay
Paraguay Here We Come!
In August, the Gift of Sight Foundation will send a mighty crew of twenty-eight individuals to Paraguay. Our mission is see more than 20,000 needy people and dispense eyewear, free of charge, to those that need vision correction. We will do this through a temporary clinic that has been coordinated by the Paraguay Lions Club.
Paraguay is a small South American country; about the size of California. It is situated between Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina and is often referred to as the heart of South America. Since the country is largely undiscovered, we expect to experience an unspoiled land where time and tradition have stood still for generations.
Our clinic will be located in Caazapa, in the Southeast corner of Paraguay. The area east of Caazapa is relatively undeveloped and consists of rolling hills and large swaths of Brazilian Atlantic interior rainforest between the San Rafael mountains to the south and the Yvytyrysy mountains to the north. The Western part is an area of low-lying marshes and swampland area, and consists of wetlands and tributaries to eastern Paraguay's largest river, the Tebicuary.
Many indigenous groups make their home in what remains of the rainforest. These groups, who practice farming corn, cassava and yerba mate under the canopy of the forest live in small bands and travel mainly by foot. They are technically protected and their land is a national reserve, but illegal loggers, ranchers and more recently, Brazilian soybean growers have encroached upon their territory.
In August, the Gift of Sight Foundation will send a mighty crew of twenty-eight individuals to Paraguay. Our mission is see more than 20,000 needy people and dispense eyewear, free of charge, to those that need vision correction. We will do this through a temporary clinic that has been coordinated by the Paraguay Lions Club.
Paraguay is a small South American country; about the size of California. It is situated between Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina and is often referred to as the heart of South America. Since the country is largely undiscovered, we expect to experience an unspoiled land where time and tradition have stood still for generations.
Our clinic will be located in Caazapa, in the Southeast corner of Paraguay. The area east of Caazapa is relatively undeveloped and consists of rolling hills and large swaths of Brazilian Atlantic interior rainforest between the San Rafael mountains to the south and the Yvytyrysy mountains to the north. The Western part is an area of low-lying marshes and swampland area, and consists of wetlands and tributaries to eastern Paraguay's largest river, the Tebicuary.
Many indigenous groups make their home in what remains of the rainforest. These groups, who practice farming corn, cassava and yerba mate under the canopy of the forest live in small bands and travel mainly by foot. They are technically protected and their land is a national reserve, but illegal loggers, ranchers and more recently, Brazilian soybean growers have encroached upon their territory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
