Big Smiles From A Little Community

We are currently staying in Macas, Ecuador.  Today,  Nov. 4 was our third day of clinic in a community of Shua people, just outside Macas.  We set up in the community hall which, as in the previous post noted, we make due with what we have.  One thing our Rotary contact, Anita made sure of was enough tables and plenty of chairs.  

First order of business was to carry in the luggage and 18 boxes of glasses.  Next we figured out where the stations would be.  Registration, triage, and dispensing was in the big hall while visual acuity and special testing were in two separate little rooms.  Autorefraction was on the stage.  

At first we were a little concerned as it appeared not many people were going to show but in no time the school children were arriving on foot and by bus.  Adults were

arriving by foot, motorcycle, bus, and car.  In no time Doreen and Rodger, along with interpreters, were bogged down with registrations.  That meant the activity snowballed through the rest of the process.

Children's ages ranged from preschool to high school.  The school children wear uniforms.  I was commenting on the uniforms to Marina and she explained that for these poor families, uniforms are not supplied; they are purchased by the parents.  If the family cannot afford a uniform for a child, that child does not attend school.  Many uniforms are passed from brother to brother to brother and sister to sister to sister.  Upon closer look, many children are missing buttons, the uniforms are ill-fitting and soiled.  Just one look at their little shoes and dirty socks give a hint of poverty.  

Regardless, so many people took time to shake our hands and thank us for what we have given them on this day.  

Snacks and lunch was supplied for us to eat when we could snatch a break.  We had plenty of bottled water to drink,  fresh bananas and oranges — I am guessing they do not get much fresher than this — sandwiches, Coca Cola, and lime, mayonnaise or spicy flavoured chips.

We have had several patients in need of strong corrective lenses.  Thanks to the people
who donate eyeglasses, no matter what the prescription, we were able to accommodate many of the needs today.

After seeing the last patient out the door, we packed up, boarded the bus and arrived back at our hostel, the Hostel Casa Blanca.  We will meet for dinner at 7:00 P.M.

Today we registered 504 patients, 279 needed need no perscription,  374 pairs of glasses were dispensed and there were 19 special order prescriptions.  We saw many smiles, received numerous hugs and and left the Shua community knowing we made a difference.