tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13331737089156944742024-03-05T06:07:57.748-08:00TWECS Nicaragua 2011Follow the 2011 Third World Eye Care Society's trip to Chinandega, Nicaragua.Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-35877568216323455102011-11-30T22:39:00.000-08:002011-12-02T07:32:10.602-08:00Thank You, TWECS<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A few days have passed, giving me time to fully contemplate the impact the TWECS Nicaragua project has meant to me. As many of you know, this is something I have wanted to become involved with for a number of years. The days in clinic far surpassed anything I imagined or hoped for.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Firstly, I'd like to thank the entire team for working together so beautifully in providing the gift of sight to the people of Nicaragua. I commend you all for your hard work and dedication. I can certainly say I am better for knowing each and every one of you.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Secondly, I'd like to thank the people of Nicaragua, for none of this project would have been possible without them--from the translators, to the Bomberos, to our partner Gerry, and many, many more. A true display of working together in this world for ultimate good. We are, after all, all connected.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And above all, a special thank you to Dr. Marina Roma-March and Derrick March, Founders of TWECS. How do you truly thank those who infinitely change the outcome of one human beings life? And continue to do so globally for thousands upon thousands on our beautiful planet.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I am truly humbled, truly grateful, forever changed...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">With much love and warmth,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sue Sakaki</span></span>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-51358761834055199792011-11-28T05:42:00.000-08:002011-11-28T05:42:36.312-08:00Team Conclusions<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Reflections-<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">We are preparing to leave Monty’s Surf Camp and head back to Managua. Our work is done and as always this is a time of reflection. This is my 4<sup>th</sup> eyecare mission and different in many ways to previous ones. I found myself feeling the responsibility of organizing the initial stages of registration and VA (visual testing); especially after Marina left. I realized we could examine and provide for as many patients as we could process through these early stages by the cut-off time as there was NOT a shortage of people in need. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I spent most of my time in the VA station, not really what I had envisioned…..as an Optometrist I thought retinoscopy, ophthalmoscopy, special testing or prescription writing was my role. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also did not spend much time in dispensing and experiencing the wow factor (when patient’s put their glasses on for the first time.) However, in looking back, this was no less an emotional roller coaster ride. Memories that come to mind: asking a young man to point to the direction of the tumbling E’s and realizing too late that he had no fingers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just speaking of “feeding” the children at the garbage dump brought tears to my eyes. The woman who thought that all she needed was to have her closed lid raised and her vision would be restored. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to dash her hope and explain that because she had her ptosis(lid droop) at birth that her eye had never had the opportunity to develop clear vision.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I learned once again this mission the importance of just buckling down and getting things done…sometimes it means taking on unexpected roles. This project was a splendid TEAM effort and an outstanding success as a result and I am so proud to be a part of this Nicaraguan eyecare mission.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Katherine McKay<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sunday 5am</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The sun is just about to rise. Monty's staff is already cleaning up from the "Partye". It is very peaceful and time to reflect on the past week. What I say, I hope, will not be taken the wrong way. On day 1 of the clinic the attitude of the new first time people tended to be "each man for themselves"… look for it yourself attitude. The I am busy fixing the world, putting out fires. But, by day 5, the whole attitude of the team had changed! Gone was the I am too busy… now was the "uno moment, Rodger. I will help you," The "I" had changed to "We." People changed form strangers to Family. Our team took off their "masks" and let down their "guard" and the "real" started into a well oiled machine. It was beautiful, gods people helping gods people… I will be back again.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">- Rodger #2 Gopher</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-26745618489782765322011-11-26T09:22:00.000-08:002011-11-26T09:22:02.379-08:00Last clinic dayA perfect end to a perfect project. Our last day of clinic in Nicaragua was amazing. We arrived early in the morning, expecting to see absolute insanity. The opposite was true. Our security team, the Chinandega Firefighters had spent the night at Red Cross Headquarters (our clinic location) ensuring that order was kept. The first patients started lining up at about 1:00am to ensure they would be seen. By about 3:00am a substantial group had formed yet order was maintained throughout the night. When our bus pulled in at about 8am, there were approximately 600 people lined up down one city block, around the corner down another block, around one more corner and starting down a third block. It was a pretty impressive sight. <br />
<br />
For those whom have never been on an international project I will give a brief description of what a patient would experience….<br />
<br />
A patient would arrive at the clinic in the middle of the night. They would stand in line for about 8 hours in eager anticipation of their first ever visit to an Optometrist. At around 8:00am the majority of our team would head out in the crowd and start the registration process. Every person would receive a form that would be used for entrance to the clinic. On the form we would record the patients name, age, basic medical issues, any issues with vision and their occupation. With this form they would then proceed to the Visual Acuities or V.A. station. Here the patients ability to see near and far would be quantified. This is the test you will recall form your Optometrists office. The chart with the large letters on top diminishing to the smallest letters on the bottom. There was a slight difference to this test in Nicaragua. Due to the high illiteracy rate with many older people letters could not be used, so the test consisted of symbols that pointed up, down, left and right. It was amazing to be able to quantify someones vision with a simple test and only a few words. <br />
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Next, the patient would enter the Red Cross HQ for further testing. A quick test with an auto-refractor (AR) was used to determine the next step. The AR is an instrument that can determine a persons prescription. This is a very rough measurement, but is quickly zero in the focus of further visual testing. After AR, patients would go to one of three stations for further examination to check the health of the eyes, to refine the patients prescription, and to be counselled on any visual issues they may have. After the patient had the prescription in hand they would proceed to the dispensing area. This is where the TWECS magic really can be seen. The dispensing team would take the Doctors prescription and find the appropriate glasses out of the 10,000 pairs that were packed from Canada. Once these glasses were placed on the faces of many visiting the clinic, a whole new world was revealed. Most had never had glasses before. Many had never seen further than their hand so needless to say the reactions from many were priceless. They ranged from a smile, to patients breaking down in tears. One little boy was actually frightened to see the real world. <br />
<br />
From dispensing the patients would fill out an exit survey with the help of interpreters and be on their way home to enjoy their new life with vision.<br />
<br />
This was a monumental trip for all those involved and I for one will be travelling with this group again. <br />
<br />
I am also putting out a plea for help. If you have an old pair of glasses, please donate them. If you are looking for christmas gift ideas, make a donation to the amazing work that TWECS does in someones name. What could be a better gift than changing the outcome of someones life? That is not going to happen with a Starbucks gift card. <br />
<br />
If you have never been on a project before, please, please get involved. Travel with the team. Donate your glasses. Help out at the TWECS glasses warehouse in Burnaby. Make a monetary donation. I have seen first hand that this group is making a dramatic impact on the globe we share and with your help it will continue for many years to come.<br />
<br />
Say tuned for the final numbers of the 2011 Third World Eye Care Society's Nicaragua project. <br />
<br />
-David<br />
<br />
For more information check out www.twecs.caUnknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-43991563782988955202011-11-24T20:25:00.000-08:002011-11-24T20:25:15.832-08:00Clinic Day 4 - ChinandegaWow, what a ride today. I knew that the clinic in the city of Chinandega would be busy and we were not disappointed. Our clinic location for today and tomorrow is the Nicaraguan Red Cross Headquarters for the Chinandega area. When we arrived the street was cordoned off by the police and was filled with people desperate for eye glasses. Hundreds of people filled the narrow street. And house of the Chinandega Chief of Police was right in the middle of all the excitement. Perhaps that explained the police presence?<br />
<br />
Many of the people in the street had never seen an eye doctor before and will potentially never see one for the rest of their lives. So needless to say there was a motivation to be registered for admission. To give this situation a Canadian perspective, walk into a street crowded with hundreds of people and start handing out cheques for $100,000.00 and ask them to please form a single line and to wait their turn to receive the money. That may cause a slight commotion; as it did today. The cost of a quality pair of glasses in Canada could be about $300.00 which is the equivalent of 2 years salary for many in this area. So if we were to use the same ratio in Canada a free pair of glasses would be worth $100,000.00. Scary huh? <br />
<br />
Today we saw almost 700 patients with over 500 of those receiving at least one pair of glasses. Many received a pair to aid their near vision and a second pair to help with their distance vision. I have been on several projects before but I have never seen the reactions as I did today. Over 20 people came up to my wife Sue to give her hugs and kisses. These are people she has never seen before in her life and they cannot contain their feeling of gratitude. I was standing next to Rae, another team member when a small boy jumped up to give her a kiss. I had to grab a camera to capture the moment and he had no problem to keep giving her kisses every time another camera came out to capture the moment. <br />
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Many more people were elevated from legal blindness to near normal vision. Just another day for a TWECS project. The one story I will elaborate on tonight is that of a young boy Christopher. This little guy was amazing. He was about 7 years old and the youngest of 5 children. He received glasses that took him from a complete inability to function in his community to near normal vision. He was given his life changing specs and couldn't have been happier. Derrick also gave him a second pair of glasses as a backup incase the unthinkable happened and his glasses were broken. Also, a third pair of glasses were dispensed to Christopher with a prescription that would work for him in about 2-3 years from now. Very cool, but what really touched me was what happened when he left the clinic. I walked Christopher and his Mother out of the hospital and on their way back home. Christopher stopped and pulled his mothers ear close. He said something in Spanish that I did not understand. Mom spoke to me in very broken english and said that Christopher wanted permission to go back through the crowds and re-enter the clinic. He needed to personally thank as many team members as he could. How could anyone say no? I held his hand and walked him to as many of the doctors and volunteers as we could find. He had smiles, hugs and many "Mucho Gracias's" for all. This was obviously a boy who knew how fortunate he was to regain his vision, despite his young age. Not a bad day.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjn52aatkAMdBga3elDFg8r_VucV2KNzXtI9FQmQBZioKHHOV0oXkNuOH3kb7oBXddqkWn2fkqKgy2TJhWhTzrWPGo_5jLmqEok3g0FysriGNprN1JYvKZ4RCmNq5RdWhSJ-R1YYxRjYk/s1600/DSC_0177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjn52aatkAMdBga3elDFg8r_VucV2KNzXtI9FQmQBZioKHHOV0oXkNuOH3kb7oBXddqkWn2fkqKgy2TJhWhTzrWPGo_5jLmqEok3g0FysriGNprN1JYvKZ4RCmNq5RdWhSJ-R1YYxRjYk/s200/DSC_0177.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher and Derrick</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Tomorrow is the last day of clinic in Nicaragua. It will be an awesome day. Those who were unable to get in today will certainly be lining up very early. Also the word has spread that free glasses are available to those who show up tomorrow in a town of 140,000. I anticipate pandemonium tomorrow at registration. Our host Gerry summarized the day in a few words… "It will be a machine gun day tomorrow" meaning the police will have to supervise the massive crowds. I will keep you posted, but don't expect an early blog update as we are heading straight to a celebratory dinner and thank you ceremony to all that have helped make this trip a success. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9BCR1ErBnpnJ5ReIvVDH7EzlW9QycCwZ1a49QTvxLeEt-IA1WPK1sWXMjm48eIwbIoEtYwm0WRojC2fjuexLcFHGCp5Ph26UGLfWrhZYieN02oIj93Mb6V11pTTSRWUZ_z419HyKxvs/s1600/DSC_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9BCR1ErBnpnJ5ReIvVDH7EzlW9QycCwZ1a49QTvxLeEt-IA1WPK1sWXMjm48eIwbIoEtYwm0WRojC2fjuexLcFHGCp5Ph26UGLfWrhZYieN02oIj93Mb6V11pTTSRWUZ_z419HyKxvs/s200/DSC_0441.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmoS9syu3GkMP5OLOlTQSnU6n2lSY9CC0MX7Hgj12dEPj9aYWmjv9zwYPn-8W2FsPMdKJ6s_k2DdtGd4oqTdMDl2iM7tsEv1KM4RcA50UgAi4orA5cnarlp8ixPvqLXC9dUnp_kVBDpA/s1600/DSC_0395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmoS9syu3GkMP5OLOlTQSnU6n2lSY9CC0MX7Hgj12dEPj9aYWmjv9zwYPn-8W2FsPMdKJ6s_k2DdtGd4oqTdMDl2iM7tsEv1KM4RcA50UgAi4orA5cnarlp8ixPvqLXC9dUnp_kVBDpA/s200/DSC_0395.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Talk to you soon.<br />
<br />
- David<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
**Sorry for the delay in the following post. It was a late night setting up the clinic. Better one day late than never**<br />
<br />
Today the entire crew worked at the El Viejo Hospital. Our day started at 7am and we finished at 3:30 pm. We saw about 730 patients. I worked all day inside a 10m x 10m tent taking visual acuity's. Doing this gave an excellent opportunity to talk with the patients. I asked them quite a few questions. Obviously they did understand me, since in most instances I did get very elaborate answers. I do believe that I am starting to understand some spanish. I had a great day and I am looking forward to tomorrow.<br />
<br />
- Jacques GagneUnknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-51723942830811380002011-11-23T20:42:00.000-08:002011-11-23T20:42:36.062-08:00Clinic Day 3<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"></div><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Good Bye and Thank you **<b>TEAM</b> Nicaragua</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Today I leave my team behind to travel home. It is the first time in 16 years of TWECS work that I have had to leave a project early . Circumstances at home and business would not allow me to stay for the full project. I left the team with mixed emotions and bittersweet feelings. I was happy to be going home to Evan and Emma. Everyday, I hear in their voice how much they miss us, and as 9 year olds, they don’t fully understand the work we do, they just know that Mommy and Daddy have to leave again, sometimes for 21 days sometimes for 10days, but it always feels like an eternity to them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">It was difficult to leave this team. Many of them I met for the first time just 4 days ago. The long 3 hour bus ride from Jiquilillo on their arrival, proved that this team of 27 were no longer strangers and it was wonderful to be with them and witness the camaraderie. I was impressed by their drive, their enthusiasm and determination to work hard as a team. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Thank you team Nicaragua for making the sacrifice to travel with TWECS and to join this project. I know you will make a difference to thousands of Nicaraguan people simply by being there and by a pair of eyeglasses. Many of their faces and smiles will be etched in your hearts forever. I wish I could be there to share the workload and the sweat with you. I will especially miss triage with Brad whose one liners always relieved my aching feet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">And of course I leave behind my better half, Derrick , the mastermind of TWECS. See you soon Sweetie! I really enjoy the updates! Keep them coming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Gerry, you are one of a kind. You have wowed the team with your charm and you made a “Gerry Believer” out of me. We simply could not have accomplished anything without all your efforts. I look forward to working with you again for another TWECS project! Keep practicing those cha cha steps.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Take care,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Marina</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">*<b>*</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: medium;"><b>T</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">ogether </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: medium;"><b>E</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">veryone </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: medium;"><b>A</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">chieves </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: medium;"><b>M</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">iracles**</span><br />
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Well here I am again. Trip number 3 with TWECS. As usual a ling flight and bus ride to our destination of Chinandega! A bus ride reminiscent of Vietnam, long and dark with a minor mishap along the way. Arriving at our accomodations at 2:45 am. Short sleep and off to see some sights, the kind we never see at home. Children and families living in a refuse area where there is constant burning of refuse. Unhealthy to say the least. This is where we will set up clinic for thursday and friday. The first day of clinic it all came back to me, the set up, the routine, the different stations and the gratitude of the children we were serving. This third trip is not much different then my first two, great team, great camaraderie, and great rewards from the happy faces leaving clinic with their new glasses. Today we saw 700 plus people and with 2 days to go it will be a record week! Will I be back for a fourth tour of duty? You bet. ASAP. <br />
<br />
- Rudy K.<br />
<br />
First Timer TWECS Volunteer<br />
<br />
I am so proud to be part of the TWECS team. We have finished over half our clinic days and what a wonderful experience! I love to see the team working so well together. I love to see the patients getting glasses to improve their vision. And I love being part of the whole process. I am looking forward to our last two clinic days and I am confident this won't be my last TWECS trip. <br />
<br />
- Dana B.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Is day 3 of clinic really over? I can’t believe we’ve surpassed the halfway point of the project already. Today was the definition of ‘organized chaos’ and it was also the first time on the mission (so far) that I shed a tear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">We’re more than 2 days and 1,200 patients in so, understandably, inventory in certain prescriptions is running low.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Trying to fit a female patient with +5.00 readers that looked like something Dame Edna would wear, was becoming quite upsetting (for all involved). I had managed to get them on her face without her seeing them (obviously) and they worked like a charm; they were exactly she needed! Unfortunately, as soon as she realized what they looked like, she could no longer see with them. We know what that means.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">I totally get it, I totally understand that they look a smidge ridiculous but they are absolutely ideal and there’s nothing else that would work more perfectly for you. We have both come so far for you to receive what you need; please don’t refuse. If there was anything more I could do, I would. I promise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Thankfully, she left with the glasses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Just a couple of minutes pass, I see one or two more patients and I then approach another female with a similarly high prescription. I know what it is we have available for her and I get a bit of a sinking feeling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">I go fish her another pair of Dame Edna’s and place them on her face (before she had a chance to see them) and… PERFECTO! They work! Muy bien!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">My patient pulls the glasses from her face to take a look and clutches them to herself. “Gracias! Gracias!” She is so happy. She’s able to read again. She is absolutely thrilled, she doesn’t care how they look and the smile on her face brings a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. I am so glad that we both came all this way, for this moment. Bellisimo. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Georgina</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">Today we were able to see patients at 3 Elementary schools:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Padre Ramos Elementary, Los Zorros Elementary, and Jiquilillo Elementary in the morning with two small screening teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bulk of the TWECS volunteers spent the day at the Theodore S. Kin Hospital and saw 597<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>patients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today over 320 pairs of glasses were given to those most in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The project saw mostly farmers, fishermen and housewives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the people seen today the average annual income was what most people in Canada will make in a week, so needless to say, glasses are not easily afforded by most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC-bu9NWMe0M5cRdS2Ms3HcBFwufC_VeSscO0A0G0Q841SKqpqHd0Jrby3ornZaJe9AonvF0UNueBcsUOJL2ak0XRYdPwhSSd39ZsBS4GwsB5R2nk_-U8pOFuK70XgHCzrS2X1tDB3nY/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC-bu9NWMe0M5cRdS2Ms3HcBFwufC_VeSscO0A0G0Q841SKqpqHd0Jrby3ornZaJe9AonvF0UNueBcsUOJL2ak0XRYdPwhSSd39ZsBS4GwsB5R2nk_-U8pOFuK70XgHCzrS2X1tDB3nY/s200/DSC_0143.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexande's life was changed today</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The patient who had the greatest impact on me today was 8 year old Alexande.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This bright young boy had a few problems in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was afraid to ride a bicycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not able to understand his lessons in school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had few friends as he was not able to play any sports without falling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All caused by his near legal blindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today his mothers prayers were answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alexande was registered late in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went through several screening stations and was examined by several doctors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 2:30 pm he had made it to the dispensing station where Derrick had selected 3 pairs of glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The glasses were placed on his face and his expression was priceless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in disbelief that a world actually existed beyond the 6 inches in front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just focused straight ahead for a few seconds then the most beautiful smile crossed his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An 8 year old boys life was changed forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 2 seconds it took to place those glasses on Alexande’s face he had gone from a life of despair and reliance on others to having a productive and meaningful future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">If we were to pack up and go home tonight I would rate this project a 100% success as a life was forever changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Fortunately, we still have a clinic day in El Veijo tomorrow and 2 more days in Chinandega.<span> </span>Hopefully we will see more Alexandes.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3FIY898ZpkPe_bZjILfL1peRTu45hSGoXVB9o4IIodOB4iF4Xz8Kc9_BuSBr3TiUGj5nA9u_GqedADGHEPa1a8q6W9PfTUMf9Dmb8C1abf5aIOXsd9DkjcF6iS-RVecqHi82bAVctkw/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3FIY898ZpkPe_bZjILfL1peRTu45hSGoXVB9o4IIodOB4iF4Xz8Kc9_BuSBr3TiUGj5nA9u_GqedADGHEPa1a8q6W9PfTUMf9Dmb8C1abf5aIOXsd9DkjcF6iS-RVecqHi82bAVctkw/s200/DSC_0155.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Roma-Marcha and the Nicaraguan Medical Director, Dr. Garcia</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">-David<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Nov 22, 2011<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">My second day doing clinical work in Jiquilillo, I found very challenging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the morning a group of us went to the Padre Ramos Elementary School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was completely astonished to see the poverty that the school was in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, every child that I saw was healthy, happy and very intelligent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only found 2 annoying visual problems:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1. An 8 year old girl who is hyperopic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2. A 17 year old boy who is myopic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is out of about 80 children.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Afterwards our team headed back to the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There I was devastated when I saw a 5 year young little girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Accompanied by her grandmother who recently has been operated on for congenital cataracts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The operation was not successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her right eye the intraocular lens fell out of place and there was dense secondary clouding on both intraocular lenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will need to undergo more surgeries to have this problem fixed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only hope for the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">-Jacques Gagne<o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-20004601650513226402011-11-21T16:55:00.000-08:002011-11-22T04:07:09.193-08:00First day of Clinic.Good evening all, Thank you for checking in. What can I say? Today is what months of preparations, time away from family and a major financial commitment are all about. We were able to dramatically touch the lives of over 700 people today. <br />
<br />
The team was split in two today to cover as much ground as possible. One division went to the Mother Theresa school in the morning, and the other spent the entire day at the Theodore S. Kin Hospital location. Setup at the School was a breeze a the majority of team members were veterans. The clinic was registering children from pre-school to grade 11 within 10 minutes of arrival. It was an amazing experience as the children were some of the most well behaved and respectful I have ever met. Within about 4 hours over 360 children and teachers were examined. For those requiring a pair of glasses, their info was taken and the prescriptions will be made up on wednesday and delivered to the children the following day.<br />
<br />
In the hospital location things were a little more hectic as there about 250 people waiting as the team arrived at the hospital entrance. The setup took slightly longer than the school as a dispensary had to be built. Not a problem for this team, as the cohesive group put their heads down and accomplished the goal of starting to see patients in a very short time. The day went very well and the patient flow was a busy yet manageable pace. <br />
<br />
Dr. Roma-March had a very interesting lady as a patient. She was a seamstress but had to give up the profession as she could no longer see and was unable to thread the needle. It is a terrible thing to say, but she had now become a burden on the already struggling family. With her income they were able to scratch out a meagar living. Without the seamstress' income the family was facing severe hardship. She was so desperate for some help she had brought a thread and needle in to the clinic to facilitate the translation of her dire concern. Not a problem for Dr. Roma-March and the TWECS Team as hundreds of people with similar problems were seen today as an eye exam and a pair of glasses resolved their problems. The seamstress said she will return home this evening and return to work after years of an inability to do so.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now able to thread a needle and provide for her family</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The line up for a new pair of glasses<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLu0e6GFNohuin7mQh25lw3iC0tS2rnRX2cXDqvdg7vr_opAuW-3IW0Q2-0n7UccKZiXn25EE7p3M38z33PgggV4hffqUswemYvwQCqI3lDSWODOk-C0Qy_9J-bkUvjNNQ6vg-7JFgaQ/s1600/DSC_0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLu0e6GFNohuin7mQh25lw3iC0tS2rnRX2cXDqvdg7vr_opAuW-3IW0Q2-0n7UccKZiXn25EE7p3M38z33PgggV4hffqUswemYvwQCqI3lDSWODOk-C0Qy_9J-bkUvjNNQ6vg-7JFgaQ/s200/DSC_0105.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian, excited about his new specs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>- David<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Today has been amazing. It really is hard to find the rights words to explain the overall feeling you get from helping so many people. So rewarding and exhilarating. TWECS is first class! Marina and all the key people are so organized, very well run. I really feel so fortunate to be here and a part of such a rewarding project. Great group to be spending this time with.<br />
<br />
- Yvonne Ryder<br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Nov 21, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I was up this morning at 5:15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a very good nights sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very relaxing listening to the rolling waves. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Had breakfast around 7:00 and left for the hospital around 8:00. When we got there we were a little confused and it took about an hour before things were organized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hospital staff were very cooperative and helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were patients of all ages gathered in the central area of the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventualy I was assigned a room where I was able to set up my examination routines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very fortunate that I had the help of my translator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name is Jesus, and he is 17 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the false impression that I would be able to manage in Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized how much I need to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The patients would come to the examination room 3 at a time with a line up outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My duties consisted of performing ophthalmoscope, retinoscopy, and writing a script.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Most patients that I saw were able to correct their vision adequately, however there were a few elderly patients that I could not help out, due to the fact that they had advanced cataracts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">All patients that I saw were very appreciative, polite, and well behaved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I am looking forward to tomorrow with great enthusiasm. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">- Jacques Gagne</span><o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-40267632358097743872011-11-21T05:10:00.000-08:002011-11-21T05:10:26.223-08:00Internet tower hit by lighting yesterday. Sorry for the missed blog day.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd8fAJO6D08pe7beUI9Eo1Lg1V_Ku6ZyuABdLR8vMk5RsFjLJqOjpNm5dlFBNYUPjNh4t9fzDadwLDYkodbooAOLRAR7Y7Oaqyvk9iyNSXOtl5wpMdPIbWP4G6Qr2KX-s3R6cXJfqgEM/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd8fAJO6D08pe7beUI9Eo1Lg1V_Ku6ZyuABdLR8vMk5RsFjLJqOjpNm5dlFBNYUPjNh4t9fzDadwLDYkodbooAOLRAR7Y7Oaqyvk9iyNSXOtl5wpMdPIbWP4G6Qr2KX-s3R6cXJfqgEM/s200/DSC_0006.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taxi to the Garbage Dump Community</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSBzPN4T7sFIGGHIsaq8T6H7c1C8ArZa7pvtc3TQKxfXTF1x0n3y2HN0prZwkM_0qIYf3ULsVfFRSATutQyTAw95plfUL4t9jPJ0Pb38Q8Ur31TZ4N4JthoPWEL2AOI62asZj2Ze32bw/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSBzPN4T7sFIGGHIsaq8T6H7c1C8ArZa7pvtc3TQKxfXTF1x0n3y2HN0prZwkM_0qIYf3ULsVfFRSATutQyTAw95plfUL4t9jPJ0Pb38Q8Ur31TZ4N4JthoPWEL2AOI62asZj2Ze32bw/s200/DSC_0035.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The patients we will be seeing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">I am writing this blog entry on Sunday Night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The internet has been down for the last two days so I am not even sure when this will be posted?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyhow…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots to report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The team arrived on time last night and cleared Nicaraguan customs with ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were met at the airport by a 72 passenger bus borrowed from the Fuenta De Vida Orphanage, a support ambulance to transport the extra gear and six Bomberos (Firefighters) to help with the luggage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything and everyone were loaded and we hit the road by 10:30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The drive got slightly exciting when a black horse jumped in front of the ambulance on the pitch black highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ambulance in the lead was able to swerve and avoid the horse, the bus however was not that lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The driver did a fantastic job of keeping the bus shiny side up but did clip the horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half of the front cowling on the bus was destroyed, and the horse had to be put down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remainder of the drive was uneventful with a 2:30am arrival time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Suunday <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Today the most of the team woke up early with only about 3 hours sleep and hit the waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The surfing at Monty’s Beach Lodge was great and the water was warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The morning consisted of a team meeting with project assignments being handed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boxes of supplies were unloaded from the bus and equipment for the week of clinics were prepped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team then jumped on the bus to head into Chinandega.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bus wouldn’t start due to the horse accident the night prior, so the team then jumped off the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repairs were made and the team headed into Chinandega only a half hour late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The purpose of the trip was to introduce everyone to the people TWECS strives to help the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poorest of the poor in developing countries around our globe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we were able to meet the residents of the Chinandega garbage dump, whom most certainly fall into this category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are over 3000 residents working and living in the city landfill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people scavenge for scraps of food and anything they can sell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Typically an annual wage is about $100.00 so a pair of glasses is a dream that could never be realized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A short meeting was held with the 2 Ladies who oversee all the residents of the dump and they were invited along with the 3000 residents to visit the free clinic that is to be established on Thursday and Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say their excitement was profound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team then continued their city tour riding on the roof, hosebed and tailboard of a Nicaraguan Firetruck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a bad way to see the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a brief stop to pick up last minute supplies the TWECS members returned to Monty’s Beach Lodge and ran through some training simulations and an orientation session for all the new members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All passed with flying colors in record time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately the training session ended early as just down the beach the local Sea Turtle Conservation Society were releasing baby turtles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was definitely a highlight for the teams half day of rest and relaxation prior to the commencement of the project tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">On the walk home from the turtle release a typical Nicaraguan electrical storm started to brew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it back to the camp just prior to the torrential downpour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thunder started to crash around the camp and the cellular tower just behind the camp was hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, unfortunately I am at my computer writing these entries and I have no idea when the cell tower will be repaired and I can post this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s hope soon?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">-David<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Nica Day 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-CA">Up at 2:30am and Garry checks in at ten to 3!!! Good god Garry, ok I’m on time, I’ll pick you up by 3:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No traffic!!! No red lights!!! No road blocks!!! No highway construction!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually pick Garry up at 3:20am – go figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-CA">Arrive at the Vancouver Airport before 4am!!! Garry and I unload the rental truck, pack all boxes onto carts and I leave to return the rental truck.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-CA">Return rental truck, catch a cab back to the airport and still arrive before anyone else arrives!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repack boxes 2 to a cart and voila Katherine and Georgina arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before 4:30, all boxes and carry-ons are safely inside the terminal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-CA">Brad arrives and to his surprise, we are all ready!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kathy does an amazing job of assigning little labels, boxes, declarations, while Brad packs in-coming totes and all new comers get acquainted… voila we are still way ahead of schedule!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-CA">Check-in and security with out a hitch!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3 cups of coffee and still time to have breakfast… unbelievable!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we need Katherine and Georgina to organize us more often<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN-CA">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-CA">Flight and seating is comfortable (but we did have to de-ice the plane) burr!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minus 2 degrees and most people did not wear warm jackets… go figure!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-CA">No sleep on leg one of my journey to Houston… glad I packed a few sudoku’s to pass the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the transfer flight through to Managua, I did catch 40 winks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-CA">The pick-up of boxed eye glasses at the airport went seamlessly (well done Katherine).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it was the jamming everything into the school bus (yellow cheese wagon) for the 5 hour ride to Chinandega and then onto the trenched 5km skid road to Monty’s for our 3am arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a long 25 hour day… whew!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">At 3:15am Marina had the nerve to inform us that it would be up at 7am, swim/surf/shower/run then breakfast at 8am and orientation at 8:30 and by the way… have a safe, comfortable, restful 4 hours sleep!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even had to take a break and put my pinkies into the inviting warm ocean before retiring for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Nica Day 2<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">5:45am and the sun is already up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, that shower water is cold!!! But, it is refreshing…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathon is already to go surfing, oops here comes David ready for a morning swim… there’s Dana ready for a run… these guys are ready for action.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After a great breakfast of spicy rice, scrambled eggs with red and green peppers, fried bananas, and coffee. We mounted in the cheese wagon, and took off for Chinandega City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There we toured the open market place. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Then we climbed on board fire engine that had been donated from Prince Rupert Rotary to Chinandega and went for a tour of the city and the “town on the active garbage dump.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dump site is where we found the “poorest of the poor” in Chinandega.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are about 3,000 inhabitants, of which 1,000 are children.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Following the tour, we had time for some orientation, a swim, a snooze, a wobbly pop, then a walk on the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We encountered freshly hatched baby turtles, the most gorgeous sunset, and then a shrimp and spaghetti dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-1017809522682595972011-11-19T16:38:00.000-08:002011-11-19T16:38:25.229-08:00To the Unnamed Volunteers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6IhIaoGX3FWU6P9Skzt_YhlFBvcVaPRxNCBY8cHP5S5EVzzfgmh7HChpPgEiPUN_DP2MJtpqgOYhg3TZMuTsUFCTaYdTW5mRup9QFz1bXOy8-XoNqj4Snd3A1STMMl-B3bI-ExQPlVA/s1600/mail-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6IhIaoGX3FWU6P9Skzt_YhlFBvcVaPRxNCBY8cHP5S5EVzzfgmh7HChpPgEiPUN_DP2MJtpqgOYhg3TZMuTsUFCTaYdTW5mRup9QFz1bXOy8-XoNqj4Snd3A1STMMl-B3bI-ExQPlVA/s1600/mail-1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbyes at the Airport<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreRfban6w73wozrCQiGPNxuHuqseIO7eF7MXUs-sk0mV2CzH74viF08JCKPwq9oxsPXWM3QVzjbDrXIihda-K9wz7a-eZj85wIbuEDZoGZFKYDPtNIoYsA4UWtjIi7YAaLPEph_XBXAA/s1600/mail.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreRfban6w73wozrCQiGPNxuHuqseIO7eF7MXUs-sk0mV2CzH74viF08JCKPwq9oxsPXWM3QVzjbDrXIihda-K9wz7a-eZj85wIbuEDZoGZFKYDPtNIoYsA4UWtjIi7YAaLPEph_XBXAA/s1600/mail.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The man behind the scene… Alf.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">The warehouse job is finally done, a year in the making, every Monday night Marina and Alf would host a group of volunteers while I finished work and raced over to Burnaby after they arrived. My job was to separate out a trays of incoming glasses in order to load the industrial washer, I'd complete six loads before the night is done. No Monday night football or Canuck's games can keep us from our duty. No kid activities can be scheduled on Monday nights as Evan and Emma know all too well that they will be at the warehouse with Mom and Dad....often saying"Mom, I'll finish my homework at the warehouse" as she feeds them a rushed supper and I fill the minivan with boxes of donated eyeglasses that arrived that week at Marina's office on the other side of the city. And as a treat for being well behaved, Evan and Emma look forward to the McDonald's drive thru ice cream cone before going home. Most nights we arrive at the warehouse just after 7pm but we know we can alway count on "Uncle Alf" to be there to open the doors right on time, rain or shine. 150 man-hours times the number of volunteers over this past year resulted in the packed contents in the van pictured below now winging south for the TWECS-Nicaragua 2011 project. It's nice to see all the early work done by the many participants over the year who never come on a project with us but also give up their Monday nights, this is blog is for you. Thanks<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">-Derrick</span></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-83002803065848943712011-11-19T10:54:00.000-08:002011-11-19T10:54:01.389-08:00Team Arrives in Nicaragua Tonight.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4XXebH72jcKFnhWh_VnDP84yZstuN6sBO1zqUtg-cQ5DXOxX1FkKxqAzZSuZPK-LjumbLWcWyzzSmeAFCTBJeZ5uWXseBw3xXj97OtcloV-AX7K8pUaYAqlvKeYvNjqyudNYxlqZ5AA/s1600/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4XXebH72jcKFnhWh_VnDP84yZstuN6sBO1zqUtg-cQ5DXOxX1FkKxqAzZSuZPK-LjumbLWcWyzzSmeAFCTBJeZ5uWXseBw3xXj97OtcloV-AX7K8pUaYAqlvKeYvNjqyudNYxlqZ5AA/s200/image001.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team van packed for the airport</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3fMjPYWpHi3jInn9S8W1UXIXwD40wiTiJ3-6kVWGQbdVGYrYesVaHRZ9YZERCxeodf9cl67FtzmPZ6mzttVSLzcBUlXeE-ieIgIUPSNvwAAAZ1NiFD5_zFl3J7RTTn-lhXlxPleUWbM/s1600/image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3fMjPYWpHi3jInn9S8W1UXIXwD40wiTiJ3-6kVWGQbdVGYrYesVaHRZ9YZERCxeodf9cl67FtzmPZ6mzttVSLzcBUlXeE-ieIgIUPSNvwAAAZ1NiFD5_zFl3J7RTTn-lhXlxPleUWbM/s200/image002.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10,000 glasses packed in 30 boxes</td></tr>
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The Team has left Canada!!! Currently the examination equipment, the 30 boxes of glasses, and the Third World Eyecare Society Team are 36,000 feet in the air above Salt Lake City. The initial arrival team will be spending the day making final preparations and will meet the team at the airport later tonight. Our transportation has been arranged, and we will be traveling in a 64 passenger school bus borrowed from an Orphanage we will visit, a Bomberos (Firefighters) rescue truck and the just purchased minivanFortunately no one will have to ride in the back of the pick up through the torrential rains like my last trip. <div><br />
</div><div>To the Team members: If you are reading this in the Houston airport, make sure everyone proceeds to the check in counter with their passports prior to the pre-boarding announcements. Your passports need to be verified prior to boarding. This is the only airport in the world I have seen this??? And most importantly, get some sleep on the plane because I am looking for as many people as possible to join me in an early morning surf tomorrow. The tides should be perfect. </div><div><br />
</div><div>This may be a good time to introduce you to an exceptional humanitarian, our host and our good friend Senor Gerry Caceres. Gerry is the man on the ground in Nicaragua who has been responsible for the logistics of this project. He has spent hundreds of hours so far ensuring the success of this trip. You will be hearing his name very frequently in this blog so let me give you a brief background on him…</div><div><br />
</div><div>Gerry was born and raised in the city of Chinandega (the main area of focus on this trip). He went to university in USA, obtained a business degree and worked his way up to the position of General Manager for the largest group of automotive dealers in the United States. The 16 hour days, 6 or 7 days a week were not what Gerry had envisioned for his life. So the best decision he ever made was to pack up and return to his native country and devote his life to helping his fellow Nicaraguans. Since his return to Nicaragua, Gerry has built several community centres, started a drug rehab program for youth, imported millions of dollars in relief supplies, imported 8 donated fire trucks, been named honorary Fire Chief, held an advisory position to the president of the country, managed sales for one of the largest car importers in Nicaragua, opened a restaurant and 2 hotels. The latest hotel is Monty's Beach Lodge in Jiquilillo, where the team will be staying. Monty's is a joint partnership with Gerry and Don (Monty) Montgomery from B.C. Canada. This is a story that will be told at a later date… </div><div><br />
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</div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com2Managua, Nicaragua12.146268054014046 -86.17110300334218212.093350054014046 -86.261235503342178 12.199186054014046 -86.080970503342186tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-28876390364793494712011-11-18T15:24:00.000-08:002011-11-18T15:51:19.063-08:001 Day prior to Team arrival.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKZ_DZdhSTlHMmxyOohT_M5CQ3b7AHp0J93iQvUZm-_1_PtooAAvbGOcRw2NLZXD_8wUEWqFCSvf8_P1vifoV7hFkpSzZ0IOMUCn6DNPMjSt_BmjvNZq-qif6Vb5Ka7gI3BxiPHA-Da4/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKZ_DZdhSTlHMmxyOohT_M5CQ3b7AHp0J93iQvUZm-_1_PtooAAvbGOcRw2NLZXD_8wUEWqFCSvf8_P1vifoV7hFkpSzZ0IOMUCn6DNPMjSt_BmjvNZq-qif6Vb5Ka7gI3BxiPHA-Da4/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marina, Derrick, Gerry and the Key to the projects success.</td></tr>
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Another beautiful day in Managua. Our key objective for an early arrival in Nicaragua has been met!!! The papers required to import the exam equipment and eyeglasses are now in Marina's hand. Without this one piece of paper this entire project ends at the airport and everyone returns home that night. We are now full steam ahead. A million thanks to Gerry Caceres, our friend and project host.<br />
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The other objectives today were:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbIMh55ZiD3i4cYW9vY1GufWFILMKsVSCJ4zbuKy74rReR9rLCWLJnhyk6VRhyphenhyphenytXJIPj-zWWFINqtTPHRb8I2oO-AUaUjMe1bwwVLIl5RDoYsjwjE5kPjFlUxSnlovbr3Fb9-fHTZZ4/s1600/P1050001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbIMh55ZiD3i4cYW9vY1GufWFILMKsVSCJ4zbuKy74rReR9rLCWLJnhyk6VRhyphenhyphenytXJIPj-zWWFINqtTPHRb8I2oO-AUaUjMe1bwwVLIl5RDoYsjwjE5kPjFlUxSnlovbr3Fb9-fHTZZ4/s200/P1050001.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the Health Ministers Office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>1. To purchase a van to help shuttle the Doc's who will be doing screening in various schools. Accomplished! Our host Gerry is now the proud owner of a 14 passenger Kia minivan. We will be travelling in style.<br />
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2. Find some tables for our mobile dispensary. Done! The tables were purchased and will be donated to a new community centre after completion of the TWECS project.<br />
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3. Complete paperwork for all OD's (Optometrists) so they can legally practice in Nicaragua. Completed!<br />
All OD's are now registered to practice in Nicaragua.<br />
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4. Find a traditional Nicaraguan lunch. Not really accomplished, as we had to settle for McDonalds between meetings, but we did dine with the former first lady of Nicaragua. I guess we all enjoy traditional Scottish food? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTeQ4wLjPKdDpbxIKlWm1OOJwnL8rRWNdI5pv6GC0oIamvznbXp4LiY6EjezBlk90KmGxd-6_WFAtWqguStVOYuRCDLnX4XQ7qDlIXy6f2955ptpkbEU0ZZ8TNUOUUnilMNQJn8s48X4/s1600/P1050002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTeQ4wLjPKdDpbxIKlWm1OOJwnL8rRWNdI5pv6GC0oIamvznbXp4LiY6EjezBlk90KmGxd-6_WFAtWqguStVOYuRCDLnX4XQ7qDlIXy6f2955ptpkbEU0ZZ8TNUOUUnilMNQJn8s48X4/s200/P1050002.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clinic site inspections by Firetruck</td></tr>
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Tonight we rest in preparations for the landing of the team tomorrow. Our thoughts are with the team and the long travel day ahead. Their day will begin at about 3am and they will not arrive at Montys Beach Lodge until after 1am. <br />
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To the team: Get some sleep, you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow.<br />
`To our blog followers: Thank you for your support and please keep the comments coming.<br />
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- David<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">All is going well on our end here in Managua. The remainder of the team arrives Saturday evening, where we will all meet up and travel to Monty's Beach Lodge--our gracious hosts in Jiquilillo, Nicaragua.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">As a first time TWECS member, it is truly a beautiful display of leadership and guidance from both TWECS leaders and those here in Nicaragua--all working together for ultimate necessary global good. Well done Dr. Marina Roma-March, Derrick March, Gerry Caceres, and all involved!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Feeling an array of emotions. All good…</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">~Sue</span></span>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com1Managua, Nicaragua12.145072344485152 -86.17143559726002912.092154344485152 -86.261568097260025 12.197990344485152 -86.081303097260033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-53921638370470772402011-11-17T20:44:00.000-08:002011-11-17T20:44:26.065-08:00Clinic location inspection dayI am writing this entry on our way home from a day of scouting clinic locations. Currently the rain is coming down so hard the highway is just like a river. The windshield wipers cannot keep up and we cannot see further than the front bumper. Perhaps we shouldn't be driving at 80 km/h down the dark flooded highway? Anyhow... Back to our day. <br />
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We didn't quite make our 9 am deadline with the vice minister, but fortunately Gerry our host is amigos with the Minister. And he ensured our delayed arrival would not be an issue. <br />
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A major issue has been discovered in our meeting at the Health Ministers office. One of the doctors has incomplete paperwork and if the paperwork is not corrected by tomorrow they will be sitting on the sidelines reducing the number of patients seen, potentially by hundreds. Goal #1 tomorrow is to do whatever it takes to make the 6 hour return drive to get the correct papers to the powers that be. <br />
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After the Health Ministers meeting we were able to return to the hotel for a leisurely 20 minute lunch break then back in the road again. This time we made a 3 hour drive to the cities of Chinandega and El Viejo. Our initial team on the ground were met by our security team, the Firefighters of Chinandega. They picked us up in the Fire Truck and we rode on the roof and hung off the tailboard to the various possible clinic locations. <br />
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After this tour of two cities the decision was made to have the clinic in 3 different locations. <br />
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Day 1&2 will be in a rural hospital. This is a beautiful facility built by European donors. Unfortunately it is merely run as a clinic due to the hospital never being stocked with equipment. <br />
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Day 3 will take place in a clinic auditorium behind a maternity hospital. This is located on the highway in the city of El Veijo. <br />
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Day 4&5 will happen in a red cross facility in the city of Chinandega. We will take over the red cross station, and close the street in front to handle the anticipated crowds. <br />
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So it is now 8:00pm and we are making the 3 hour trek back to our accommodation. The clinic locations are set, the rain has stopped, we have a carload of Nicaraguan cheezie snacks and the 80's power ballads are rockin the airwaves in our car. Life could not get any better. <br />
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Sent from my iPhoneUnknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-5216461663058517692011-11-17T05:27:00.000-08:002011-11-17T05:27:47.698-08:00Documentation Team has Arrived in NicaraguaThe preliminary documentation team has arrived!!! Marina, Derrick, Sue and David have arrived in the country a few days prior to the team arrival to ensure all customs papers are in order, all health department requirements are met, and to meet with gov't officials. Yesterday went as smoothly as could be hoped for. The initial Team arrived at Vancouver Airport at 4:00 am, and passed through security screening with ease. A feat not often accomplished as some of the luggage contained equipment that security personnel are usually very apprehensive about. The auto refractor and the cases of batteries usually draw a fair amount of unwanted attention. Fortunately, yesterday that was not the case. We arrived in Houston Texas ahead of schedule and departed an hour late. This brought us into Managua, Nicaragua at about 11:00. Once again customs and immigration were a breeze. We passed through the 3 inspection points with our 10 pieces of luggage and equipment, left the terminal, dragged everything by foot across a the 6 lane Pan-Ameria Highway and were at our hotel within 30 minutes. We had a Cerveza toast to the success of the team arrival and hit the sheets hard. What a great day....<br />
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But the morning comes very early when prepping for a project. My phone rang at 6:30 this morning, with ur local host Gerry on the line. He was calling from the road saying he will be picking us up at the Hotel and taking us to the Health Ministers office for an emergency meeting requiring our notarized paperwork. These papers must be delivered to the Minister prior to 9:00am to ensure the success of the project, so we are on the move. The traffic in Managua can range from bad to a parking lot so I am signing off to make the drive to the Ministers office and the 9:00am deadline. Wish us luck.<br />
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To be continued...Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1333173708915694474.post-67312325735310720232011-11-15T15:30:00.000-08:002011-11-15T15:30:08.242-08:00T Minus 4 days until team departureHello Everyone:<br />
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Thank you for taking the time to follow the Third World Eyecare Society's (TWECS) Eyecare project to the Chinandega area in Northern Nicaragua. <br />
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My name is David and my wife is Sue. Together we will try to document on a daily basis the happenings of the project. I have been on several projects with TWECS and this will be Sue's first. I hope that we will be able to bring a first timers perspective on the project, as well as a no so first timers. We will also try to post submissions from as many team members as possible. <br />
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A huge Thank You to all the Sponsors, all the Volunteers, all who will be travelling and especially to Marina, Derrick and Family. Without Marina and Derrick and their Children's support, 65,000 people would not have been helped by TWECS.<br />
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4 DAYS UNTIL TEAM DEPARTURE<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Hi Everyone:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">We finished packing all the boxes all 26 of them!!! It took many hours and many hands and a great warehouse coordinator....that's Alf Vogel. Alf is a TWECS director who has been on many TWECS projects and who is always at the warehouse every Monday evenings rain or shine. He was there through out all the sorting and the packing for this project. He did a great job organizing the whole process. Unfortunately he won't be joining us on this project. Thank you Alf!! for all you do for TWECS and the warehouse.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Marina Roma-March</span></span>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03840414716456747684noreply@blogger.com3