I have the old song by Johnny Nash stuck in my head right now. Just returning from volunteering at an eye clinic I wanted to take a quick moment to tell you about it before I go flop on the couch. The group VOSH is here working with a number of organizations to provide eye exams and glasses for many people here in Patzcuaro who may not otherwise be able to afford it.
The Eye Exam!
I can not tell you how incredible it is to watch a person’s face light up when they can see clearly for the first time in years, and in some cases decades. One gentleman last had a pair of glasses in 1989. But I have to tell you we have a bit of a shortage of people to help translate. If you can help and are in the area please do. You do not need to be fluent. The vast majority is saying things like “ is your problem seeing near of far” or “which is better, this or this”
Boxes Of Glasses, Just Waiting!
We are short of volunteers!
If you can help here is the information! You can contact Deb at deb_peacock@yahoo.com or her cell phone is 045 (434) 100 1149
In November, Ciudades Hermanas Sister Cities de Patzcuaro, A.C. along with DIF Patzcuaro will be hosting a group of volunteer optomitrists from Ohio - VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity). The Santa Clara clinic is hosted by the Paz Family of el Arte de Victoria (Patz) and El Porton of Sta. Clara
VOSH will provide eye care clinics to low income members of the community - includes exams and eyeglasses - in several locations within the municipality of Patzcuaro and Sta. Clara. The cost for the exam/eyeglasses is $20 pesos per person/family although no one will be denied because of inability to pay.
November 9th and 10th at the Maria Teresa Salon de Fiestas - to the side of the main bus terminal in Patzcuaro - on the libremiento. 8 a.m. til 5.30 p.m.
November 11th - Sta. Clara 9 - 5.30
November 12th - Tzurumutaro - former TEC location near the plaza 8 - 5.30
November 13th - Cuanajo 9 - 1.30
They require 10 bi-lingual volunteers at each clinic. Your spanish need not be perfect as there are some simple phrases that need to be known. It will not involve a lot of techinical terms ... ´what do you see´, ´how do the glasses feel´, ´could you please read the chart´, etc. There will also be someone there who can assist you should you need it.
Please contact me as soon as possible to sign up. There are shifts of 8 to 1 p.m. - 1 p.m. to 5.30 or all day.
Thank you! saludos. Deborah
