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!