San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
January 12-19, 2002
Dr. Brian Lynch, Branford, CT, Legislative Liaison to the C.A.O.
Dr. Julie Walsh, Wabasha, MN
Dr. Mark Wolmer, Danbury, CT
Lisa Baloian
Jason Chow
Melissa Dacumos
Charles Dominguez
Brett Fredericks
Agnes Kim
Melissa McGowan
Ann Nguyen
Heidi Schauffele
Tiffany Smart
James Patrick Smith
We
were also assisted by translator Imelda Mercado, and assistants Randy Schauffele,
Joyce Wurl and Rose Blondin. Rose Blondin, age 12, is believed to be the
youngest person ever to participate in a VOSH mission. We were also privileged
to have the help for one day of Dr. Jay Jordan and his assistants from VOSH-NECO,
Optician Jeff Kapp, Gloria Smith, RN and Nancy Osgood.Approximately 50 local residents assisted with the clinic duties, led by local doctors Drs. Rose Elena Bello and Drs. Carmen Estrada. The overall mission and clinic was organized and directed by Audrey B. Blondin, Esq., aka "La Jefa".
Three thousand pairs of glasses from the Virginia and Connecticut Lions Club were shipped by container in June with the grateful assistance of Dr. David Gullette.
Dr. Gullette also provided student translators throughout the week, which were very helpful to us. Also assisting with the over-all organization on the ground was local resident Chris Berry,Esq., without whose service, knowledge, time and expertise this mission would not have been possible.
One thousand additional pairs of readers and one thousand pairs of sunglasses were purchased by Matthew and Audrey Blondin and brought along. Optician Antonia Wong brought 450 pairs of sunglasses and Optician Jay Davis brought one thousand pairs of readers, which we are very grateful for.
The
Clinic was held at the Centro Escolar Enmanuel Mongalo y Rubio. It was set
up on Sunday, January 13, 2002 with five examination rooms, a pre-testing
room, dispensary and lunch room. The Clinic officially opened on Monday,
January 14, 2002 at 8:00 a.m. A brief meeting and opening prayer service
began each morning led by Dr. Mark Harris.Breakfast was provided each day by VOSH-Connecticut at 7:00 a.m.. Patients were seen from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., with a break for lunch provided by Drs. Rosa Elena Bello from 1:00-2:00 p.m., along with a daily briefing meeting. Clinic resumed from 2:00-5:00 p.m..
On the last day, a collection was taken up with grateful assistance of Joyce Wurl. Mission members donated $350.00. This money was divided in half, and $175.00 each was presented to Drs. Rosa Elena Bello for her clinic and Principal Anna Luisa Mornplan for use of her school facility for the clinic.
Over the four day period, we saw 2,402 patients broken down as follows:
1/14/02
1/15/02
1/16/02
1/17/02
Many residents
of San Juan del Sur were served, as well as a number of those in the surrounding
area, many arriving by bus, taxi, horseback, and push carts.
On Thursday evening, January 17, 2002, VOSH-Connecticut hosted a banquet
for 82 persons, including the Mayor of San Juan del Sur, Mayor Abelado
Nunez, the vice Mayor and leader of the City Council. We were honored
with a local music and dance presentation, a highlight of our program.
Certificates of Appreciation were presented to all participants, as well
as a gift to each from Drs. Rosa Elena Bello.
Throughout the mission, all communications were held in both English and
Spanish, which worked well. Pathologies encountered included cataracts,
pterysia, glaucoma, corneal foreign bodies, toxoplasmosis, conjunctivitis,
and retinal disease. Crowd control presented a challenge at times, but
over all things were well contained.
We were visited by representatives and a physician from the National Health
Clinic, and were able to see a number of patients brought to our clinic
from there. Numerous drugs were donated by Alcon Laboratories, Inc., and
were most appreciated and used throughout the mission. Leftovers were
donated at the clinic to Drs. Rosa Elena Bello and the National Health
Clinic.
Our
goal was to see 2,000 patients, a 25% increase over last year's 1,500
patients. At the conclusion of our four day clinic, we had seen 2,402
patients, almost a 70% increase over last year's mission.
Next year's mission is set for January 11-18, 2003. This will be the 5th
year anniversary of our service to the residents and community of San
Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. We look forward to returning once again to such
a wonderful place, populated by such kind, appreciative and helpful people.
Respectfully submitted,
Esg.
Clinic Director
"La Jefa"