We did just that.
This is me and my buddy Roger (pink). Roger and I hung out for a solid two days doing entrance exams. He needed patients to read rows of letters from different distance to measure their ability to see. If a patient could not read, we used a series of symbols and hand motions to measure their ability. Rog worked as a pro - this wondeful man was smiling ear to ear for days on end. All I had to do was speak a little Spanish, this guy had an amazing gift to communicate in other ways.
This is proof that I work hard, but also am bad at acting like I understand everything that people say. My ´what did he just say´face.
We don´t work at Cedar Point, but the line was very similar. All week people were waiting out the door for a visit with this amazing group of docs and volunteers that took time out of the life in the States to come help out.
A man receiving his first pair of glass in his whole life. Pretty intense/emotional experience to witness people who have not been able to see for 60 years suddenly realize how beautiful their grandchildren are.
This guy is just loving it!
False eyes was also a huge project that I did some translating with. There are quite a few people in this country who in some way or another have lost an eye. Wether it is a work injury, or directly from the war - their guys were busy all week.
Dr. Rob from Canada. After working with this guy, I could probably open up my own doctors office - this guy taught us every step of the way.
We would take an eye, fit it, take it out, reshape it, buff it and then send the patient home looking like new. It was amazing to see people who had too large or too small pieces walk out of the clinic with one that fit perfectly. Men and women literally where wearing pieces that we not correct for them for 20 years. Talk about an instant headache relief! Translating here was my favorite part of the experience. Instant gratification once the patients turned the mirrors on themselves and realized that it was possible to a normal looking face after loosing an eye!
Me getting down with the boys. Como se diceI LOVE PEACE CORPS!
Shoot son, I wasn´t kidding - a line out the door!
Crowd control here. Me telling people where to wait in line, what procedure they were about to receive and to keep quiet! Eye Campaigns have a way of turning into a loud, crazy party - good energy, good people, good stuff.
Warren and I finishing up an exam. Warren and I, like Roger, spent hours on end trying to do our best. This man has a huge heart. I personally saw him walk away from many visits in tears, helping children and older sick people to their next visit. It was an honor helping him out, really made me feel like I was doing some good.
Dear Eye Campaign,
I love you so much. Please come back, it would be neat.
If you all back home are looking for ways to contribute (even though you all already are by giving me a ton of support). Turn to your local Rotarty Clubs, Chruch Groups and Local University Organizations - most of the people that travel around helping do it on their own dime. It goes a long way, and I can attest that the donations are put to good use!
Living the dream in El Salvador!
Que Dios nos bendiga y que todos y todas pasen buen dia!
Jimbo
3 comments:
good job Jimbo.....pretty neat experience there... those eyes kinda freaked me out though!!! but thats really great! :)
luv... Meg :)
i "See" you workin jimbo....
We can really feel how much you enjoy the translating and working with these caring people. And it is a little ironic because here you are helping Salvadorians that basically have nothing and yet you get so much from helping them. Talk to you soon son. Good pics!
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