One Final Post

What to say? What to say? How do I give justice to the past 6 weeks? In all honesty I don't know if can.

It started off like many of my previous adventures - wondering what in the world I was doing! There were definitely ups and downs along the way but all and all when I look back at my time in Honduras I cannot help but smile.

One of my favorite moments was finding reading glasses for the young girl – as I wrote about in one of my first blogs.

One of my least favorite moments of was saying goodbye to the first set of volunteers!

I don’t think anything put a smile on my face faster than hearing the giggles of patients (especially the older ladies) as they tried on glasses. I also enjoyed the unique style of many of the patients – glasses that I personally found muy feo (ugly) were tan bonita (so pretty) to many ☺

All and all my experience in Honduras was excellent. In fact much of it exceeded my expectations (although in many ways if was much different from what I expected). Working out in the rural areas, talking one on one with warm-hearted Hondurans, helping to provide quality eye care to communities in need, getting to know local staff, building relationships with fellow volunteers, and observing eye surgeries amounted to me feeling completely content and happy.

I have a new perspective on life and realize more than ever how much I have to be grateful for. For example the simple act of drinking water out of the tap or the fact that I can read or write should not be taken for granite. (The first brigada I went on in less than 10 minutes of doing visual acuity 3 women told me they couldn’t read.)

The last 6 weeks had a huge great impact on me – and I think it is because I found something I am truly passionate about. The experience was rejuvenating and awakening on so many different levels. I believe I am headed in a new, better direction because of this experience.

Without a doubt I will continue advocating for global health and volunteering abroad for years to come. Aaanndd if anyone reading this blog is at all interested in volunteering abroad I would without a doubt encourage you to give it a try - clearly I loved it!

Tegucigalpa

Tegucigalpa is the capital, largest city in Honduras and according to the History Channel the 2nd most dangerous city in the world.  Approximately 1.25 million people call Tegus home.  The climate is relatively pleasant due to the high altitude (3,250 ft) and the mountains surrounding the city make the city a beautiful one, unfortunately they also do a good job at trapping in the pollution.

View of the city from El Picacho City Park

In addition, flying into Tegus was quite the adventure.  Never have I been on a plane that descended so quickly while simultaneously turning sharply.  Only after arriving did I learn that the airport (or rather the landing) here in Tegus is frequently said to be one the most dangerous in the world.  The mountains surrounding the city as well as the short runway make for challenging landing.  Special training is required for all pilots to land here.

Note the SHORT runway at the top of the picture!  You can also see the soccer stadium towards the front of this picture. 

There is no denying that Tegus has its fair share of problems but after living here for almost 6 weeks I have become very fond it.  The people are friendly and kind hearted, the culture is vibrant and delicious cuisine is endless.  I have taken my fair share of precautions while being here but all in all I have felt safe.

I have enjoyed a few days of exploring the city.  Tegus has a big soccer stadium, plenty of museums, churches, markets, surprising upscale malls, restaurants.......and more!

Tegus is home of two professional soccer teams - Motagua & Olimpia.

Sonia and I at the stadium here in Tegus.  We watched Motagua play Canada.  The fans were CRAZY! 

To the right is one of the many markets here in Tegus.  There are endless stands of freshly made papusas, tacos and baleadas.  Along with stand after stand of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Statue of Jesus Christ in El Picacho City Park overlooking Tegucigalpa.

Me enjoying the beautiful view offered by the El Picacho City Park. 

Soccer fields are dispersed all across the city.....even in some of the poorer areas.  And they always seem to be occupied with players and onlookers.  

¡Mi Esperanza!

The new group! Carol, Jessie, Estrella, Sonia and Me

 

 

Today the fellow volunteers and I had the privilege of helping some of the beautiful women at Mi Esperanza.  Mi Esperanza is an organization dedicated to the education and skills training of Honduran women living in poverty and was co-founded by Lori, our new friend in Tegus.  (If you remember from a previous blog Lori is married to Mark.  And Mark is in-charge of the the non-profit that builds houses for the poor here in Tegus.)   


Last week as we were finishing up another lovely dinner with Mark and Lori it occurred to me that many of the women at Mi Esperanza, especially those in sewing and computer classes, would likely benefit from reader glasses.  And as Unite For Sight volunteers we happen to be drowning in reader glasses!  (Because every volunteer brings 500 pairs.)  I asked Lori what she thought about us coming by with glasses and she thought it was a great idea.  And so a mini-outreach was set-up and the group and I made our way to Mi Esperanza!     

Here I am performing a simple visual/reading acuity test with the sewing teacher.  She needed a rather high power so I'm a little confused as to how she was able teach such a delicate art.  I don't sew but those needles are small!

 Sonia and I with the sewing teacher.  She seemed particularly happy with her new pair of pink readers.

One of the Mi Esperanza students hard at work with her new glasses!  The work done by these students is really quite amazing.  They make all kinds of bags and dresses.

Part of the Mi Esperanza sewing class + the Unite For Sight Volunteers

After we finished finding the correct glasses for each of the women at Mi Esperanza we were asked if we would be willing to be "models" for their students in beauty school.  How could we say no? :-) So next Friday Sonia and I are headed to Mi Esperanza's beauty school.  We will be coming back from Honduras with freshly painted nails and beautifully fluffed hair :-) 

W H E N W A S Y O U R L A S T E Y E E X A M

 

The group repping our Unite For Sight T-shirts.

Also, today the patients from last weeks surgeries were bussed back to Tegus for their 1-week post-operative care exam.  The picture to the right shows the chart of one of the patients.  The patient went from only being able recognize movement directly in front of his eye (i.e. a hand moving directly in front of his eye) to 20/100 vision.  This is a HUGE improvement!  YAY for successful surgeries that allow patients to regain much of their independence and allow them to have a better quality of life.