Day 8: Recreation and Reflection

Last night we drove to Antigua.  This morning, nineteen of us climbed Pacaya Volcano.  Four rode horses up.  The view was awesome.

Late afternoon we completed evaluations and discussed what we learned from the trip and what lessons we would take home.  We find the Guatemalan people very patient, friendly, and appreciative.  We believe people deserve better health care than many are receiving.  We will help others and continue to improve the lives of underserved people in other countries and at home.

Day 7: Fifth Clinic

Today we had a short fifteen-minute walk to Pop Wuj for our last clinic.  I had many women I tested as well as a young teen in a school uniform who had very bad vision.  She is now able to read her school work. I had an efficient sign up sheet and happy patients.

Day 6: Fourth Clinic

Today's drive was a mere forty-five minutes to Buena Vista. Just like the name of the city, the view was beautiful.

I had hugs and kisses from patients who received glasses.  One woman had a memorable, surprised look on her face after I put on the glasses and she saw clearly. The mother of a young boy came with him to get reading glasses.  She very concerned that he put his school books and papers about two inches from his eyes and squinted to see them.  She was so happy when he had glasses on and could read a good 12 inches away.  Many recipients hugged and blessed me.

Day 5: Third Clinic

Today was the longest ride, two hours, to  Pujujil.  We set up our clinic in a community center.  From the outside, I saw a woman weaving on her porch.  Most of the recipients of glasses were women, many who struggled with reading, sewing, and weaving.  Because the center was an open space, we had to hang plastic sheets to create private examination rooms.  My first patient was the major of the city!

Day 4: Second Clinic in Xeabaj

After breakfast at 6, walking to Pop Wuj, packing medicines and supplies, we drove for one and a half hours to Xeabaj. The view outside our windows was gorgeous.

We set up clinic at a school.  Many children played with us.  We played basketball, soccer, and red light/green light.  The children loved stickers and bubbles.

Another patient who was thrilled to be able to see:

Day 3; First Clinic in Llanos del Pinal on Monday

We had breakfast at 6 a.m., walked to Pop Wuj, packed medical supplies on top of the van, and drove one hour to a school for clinic.  When we arrived to set up, a line of patients was already there. I dispensed glasses next to the pharmacy.  I had many very happy recipients of reading glasses.

Day 2 Panajachel

After breakfast at Valenino's Restaurant, we had two hours to wander around, shop, or take a boat ride across beautiful Lake Atitlan.  I wandered, shopped, and took lots of pictures!

Day 1: Arrival in Guatemala City

In the airport cafe I met Elizabeth-PA from Kentucky, Shannon, Katie, Imari and Josseline-students from Boston College. Elizabeth and I removed personal items from our suitcases with medications/reading glasses as those would go directly to the Pop Wuj clinic in Xela.  After loading up the van with our suitcases, lunching at Pollo Campero, our driver took us to Panajachel. Our departure from Guatemala City was in pouring rain and rush traffic.  Then we had a bumpy, winding ride to our hotel, Utz Rajil, followed by dinner a block away at Valentino's Restaurant.

August 13
I finalized my packing: copies of forms for reports with paper sleeves for Tumbing E Chart and other eye testing papers; emergency contact information to the family; ATM and credit card notification that use would be in Guatemala; regulations for luggage verified; removal of my jewelry; and rereading of information from Restoring Vision, Timmy Global Health, Fulbright, and information about Guatemala.
I packed loose pants, boots, rain coat, rain poncho, umbrella, hand sanitizer, clothes donations (sweaters and jackets are popular), plug adaptor, small US money that is crisp, and enough clothes for nine days.

August 25, 2015 at 8:15 AM

Trip Preparation

I received 400 reading glasses to take to Xela, twenty-two pounds of glasses! They are sorted in ziplock bags, 25 to a bag, with their strength on the bag:  1.0 to 3.25.  I am bringing sandwich size zip lock bags for covers for eye glasses that I dispense.  I will wrap my clothes around the bags when I pack.  I am surprised that the glasses survived shipping to my house in a cardboard box with no bubble wrap or cushioning!