November 9, 2012

Talcahuano A Fond Fairwell

By ndunn

November 9, 2102

We bid a fond farewell to our Talcahuano Clinic on Thursday.  We were there for three days, and in that time, we were able to help dispense 1700 pair of prescription eyeglasses, readers and sun glasses.  As each recipient came through we were able to really talk to the recipients and listen to their stories.  Each recipient shared with us their unique stories of loss, and the process of rebuilding their lives.  By providing these recipients with glasses, we hope we have provided them a chance at brighter opportunities in the future. 

On our final day we received a wonderful surprise, when forty elementary school children came to the clinic to receive non RX sun glasses.  After a few shy smiles, and a few handshakes, we had dispensed sun glasses to them  all and received a boisterous yell of THANK YOU and GOODBYE from them all as they left the clinic. 

Today was also a very special day for Irma. She came to the dispensing site at Our Lady of Pompey church in Santiago, Chile.  She was so appreciative of her badly needed distance and reading glasses.  When we gave her a new pair of sun glasses, which looked great, but more importantly protect her eyes from the intense sun here in Chile, she was overwhelmed and began to cry with joy and appreciation.  Through her tears she told us that today was her birthday, and that receiving these glasses was the best present that she had ever had.

Today a fifty year old woman, Benita, came to the dispensing site in Santiago. Wearing her security uniform, she came to the clinic as she was on a quick break from work.  She received reading, distance and sunglasses.  As she put on her distance vision glasses, she could easily read the poster on the wall which made her extremely happy.  She took her glasses and started to leave the clinic, but broke down in tears.  When she was able to speak, she told us her story.  Since being separated from her husband, she has struggled to raise five children alone on the meager income from her job as a hospital security guard.  Everything she earns goes towards the care of raising her children.  She has been unable to afford an eye exam or glasses.  For some time she has been unable to clearly see the screens of the security monitors that she is obligated to manage closely.  In fact, she has been suffering with eye strain and bad headaches as a result of keeping such a close watch on the monitors she could not see.  Although, she struggled with seeing the monitors, she dare not say anything for fear of being fired.  It was moving to witness the joy and relief she experienced as a result of now being able to do her job well.

Some team members followed up with a visit on Saturday, November 10th at her home.  She greeted us at the door with a smile and some of her children gathered around her.  She led us to the back of her house where she hung up her family´s clothes and did other chores around the house.  Her sons were so happy that their Mom could see.  Benita said, ´´So many bad things have happened to me in the past, now it seems only good things are happening and for that I am forever grateful.´´ 

2 Comments

  1. Gloria says:

    Ciao Candido e Cinzia,
    come va?Spero che questo fine settimana abbiate potuto riposare per essere pronti a ricominciare ..
    Candido ti saluta tanto Andrea….
    Buon lavoro a tutti..

    Posted on Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:59 am EST

  2. Livea Portezan says:

    The children visit have a special place in my heart… They weren´t scheduled to receive glasses nor sunglasses, they were only visiting.  I asked our leader David if we could give them the sunglasses since we had enought for them and the other pacients that might had come and David gracefully allowed…
    When I told the kids they were going to receive sunglasses they were so so happy because they were not expecting… They jumped, laughed and screamed with much joy.
    Chilean sun is too strong, it is great that they can protect their eyes in this young age.
    So many beautiful stories we will remember forever!

    Posted on Mon Nov 19, 2012 6:16 pm EST

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