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VOSH/Connecticut
was formed in 2001 by Dr. Matthew Blondin. Members of VOSH/Connecticut and
support staff run a yearly eye clinic in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
providing eye care to those in need.
During the past three decades VOSH has evolved into a dynamic nonprofit,
volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation of human sight, mainly
in developing countries where there is no welfare. VOSH also serves as a
resource for other organizations with similar goals.
The VOSH concept was founded by a Kansas optometrist, Dr. Franklin Harms,in
1972. Currently VOSH/Connecticut is one of 24 nonprofit chapters that are
coordinated by the parent organization, VOSH/INTERNATIONAL, whose duty is to
keep abreast of chapter activities throughout the United States, including
student volunteer groups.
How much VOSH/Connecticut can accomplish is directly related to the funds in
hand. While each participant pays his/her own expenses, other costs cannot be
ignored: examining equipment, reading glasses, medications, shipping,
mailing, to name a few.
Generally, VOSHERS pay their own way and often give up vacation time to
participate. While some VOSH eye care missions may be carried out by a single
dedicated professional working alone, more frequently services are carried
out by a team that may include eye professionals, physicians, nurses,
physical therapists, dentists, assistants and lay people.
A local service group from the host country (often a Lion's Club or a Rotary
group) facilitates organization and arrangements at the other end.
The team will send ahead thousands of pairs of used glasses that have been
carefully sorted, cleaned, labeled and cataloged in order to fill
prescriptions. While a considerable amount of this work is done by VOSHERS
themselves, Lions Clubs throughout America have been a major resource for recycled
glasses.
Depending on the size of the team, VOSHERS will examine hundreds, sometimes
thousands of patients over a four- to six-day period. In many cases this will
be the first, and sometimes the only examination patients will ever have in
their lifetime.
A long with prescribing and dispensing glasses, optometrists will identify
patients who require further treatment for glaucoma, cataracts, pterygia,
diabetes and other medical conditions. Clinics may include an eye surgical
team or, sometimes a surgical team will conduct a follow-up clinic shortly
thereafter. VOSHERS do make an effort to assure follow-up for acute cases,
but the larger burden for such care remains with the host country.
Your membership in VOSH/Connecticut or your financial contribution will
enable us to purchase better equipment, continue our present projects and
plan future projects to still other areas where the need for eye care is
presently not available.
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Republican American, Feb. 3 2011
“Optometrist Matthew Blondin of Litchfield, center
his wife, Audrey, far right, during this month’s
eye-care mission to Nicaragua. With the Blondin’s
are, from left, Kevin Creed of Litchfield, optometrist
Tom Marguis of Milford, Megan Lee of Berkeley, Calif.,
and Optometrist Robert Mingrone of Milford.”
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How VOSH/Connecticut carries out
its mission
- Organizes and sponsors free eye care clinics for the
needy in Third-World countries
- Collects, neutralizes, catalogs and distributes
glasses for VOSH missions
- Serves as a resource for locating personnel, needed
equipment and supplies
- Publishes a twice-yearly newsletter to raise
awareness and solicit wider participation both here and abroad
- Enlists memberships and raises funds to support
projects and goals
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How can you assist
VOSH/Connecticut
- Sign up for a VOSH/Connecticut mission.
- Make a tax-deductible donation to VOSH
- Become a member of VOSH. Dues are just $30 per year.
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