February 10, 2012

Days Three and Four: Khalua Village and downtown Mtubatuba clinics

By ahoutman

After taking on the role of blogger, I was warned by veterans it would likely involve late nights alone on the internet, because, after days that are so emotionally and physically demanding, people (understandably) have little left in them for contribuing to a blog.  Well...I say...that those people don't know Team South Africa 2012!!!  Tonight there were TWO computers going (both with queques, might I add!) to accommodate the following contributions from our energetic and passionate team members and the amazing events of our day!  We are still working out the kinks with photos, but they will come soon!  We begin with our beautiful Dalila, whose birthday it was today.  Don't forget...you may want to check out Google Translate.

Sawo bona ( Bonjour ) la France,

Pour mes 28 ans, j’ ai la chance de vivre une aventure extraordinaire qui restera gravee dans mon Coeur toujours et pour toujours. Je vis des moments inoubliables, forts, indescriptiles, intense, tres emotionels……..Je tiens a remercier toutes les personnes qui m’apportent leurs soutiens. Vive la solidarite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dalila, Gout

Mtubatuba 09 Febbraio 2012, le emozioni non si contano al primo giorno della seconda clinica!!! Oggi abbiamo avuto circa 1300 persone senza contare il sole ai bimbi che accompagnavano I genitori, abbiamo ricevuto milletrecento sorrisi e abbracci. In meno di due ore abbiamo allestito la clinica nella sala comune del centro di Mtubatuba, senza sosta, tutta la giornata, abbiamo avuto ogni istante il cuore riempito di gioia, per ogni sguardo stupito di chi dopo anni riesce finalmente a leggere una parola o a vedere in modo definito il viso di chi gli sta di fronte ( abbiamo dato un occhiale da -20 a un bambino!). Grandissima Marinella, punta di diamante nelle relazioni internazionali, subito integrata nel team e senza paura, in dialogo serrato con francesi, polacchi e americani; supelativo Alessandro definito chabella man; bravi Antonio e Marco, ottimi registratori di occhiali! La clinica e’ un momento speciale, unico e irripetibile. Non solo la clinica, ogni persona che ti trovi davanti, a cui “regali” il dono della vista e’ un momento a se’, e’ un’emozione, e’ un pezzo di cuore che si riempie di un motivo nuovo per sorridere, per essere felice ogni giorno, nonostante la fatica, le avversita’, nonostante tutto!!! Ciao dal Sud Africa, Marinella Alessandro Marco Finally, we have lift off!

Today started with a BIG BANG – 1282 PATIENTS!! We were eased into the first 2 days seeing 387 patients on day 1 and 803 on day 2. The South Africans on the team have kept the spirits high (almal dink ons is die “Coolste”)! The Ray-Ban CD is a great hit! JR & Locnville are the theme song to the “Fun Bus” to and from the clinics every day! The trip highlights: definitely been the great team! The heat! The yellow T’s (The infamous Marion cut), and not to forget that we see miracles happening around us all day. Today we dispensed a pair of +20 frames to a teenage boy, -10 to a 3 year old “Bambino”, it is amazing to be able to share sight with them. Love to the South African Sunglass Hut/Luxottica Family, our families and friends! Love Jeanine, Coenie & Jacky xx

Our morning began with the typical over-heated African summer sky.  Our clinic was just pulling together and we were just beginning set up.  The group was trading the usual pleasantries while waiting and sweating in the hot sun.  Suddenly, I heard the low melodic singing of a group.  The voice was that of a village….an African village.  Coming from a large tent shaded from the sun was the joyful singing of the Zulu people waiting for their new glasses.  Without notice and a surprise to me, I felt a tear escape the security of my sunglasses.  Wow, what a feeling to be on a mission making a difference in a people’s life. - Tim Webb, St. Charles, IL

Hello Kathy at home office.  Rest assured, I have delivered all your messages to the intended, which brought plenty of smiles and laughs. To the home office, we had our first big day today with 1,282 coming thru the door. We expect the same tomorrow. We are all tired but it is a comforting tired when we remember the  lovely people dancing and singing when their glasses are dispensed… Can’t wait to get home….NOT!!  I still have a lot of work to do…..Have a wonderful day… - Anita

From Antonio (Italy) - Quarto giorno di missione e primo giorno a Mtubatuba…arrivati in clinica alle 7.30 Am ci attendevo gia’ molte persone e l’impatto e’ stato fantastico (a fine giornata sono state accolte 1282 persone tra uomini, donne e bambini di ogni eta’). All’apertura della clinica alle 9.00 si e’ riversato all’interno della struttura un fiume di persone speranzose di tornare a casa con il loro paio di occhiali da vista o da sole. La prima parte della giornata l’ho dedicate alla consegna degli occhiali da vista, vedere queste persone farti sorrisi e abbracci immensi per averili dato la possibilta’ di poter proseguire la loro vista sapendo quello che hanno in torno e’ stata veramente un’esperienza fantastica che ti tocca il cuore. Il resto della giornata(fino alle 5.30 Pm) l’ho passato a consegnare occhiali da lettura e da sole e anche in questo caso le emozioni non si possono descrivere e non posso che ringraziare OneSight per la fantastica esperienza a cui mi ha dato la possibilita’ di far parte. Ultima nota e non di poco conto..tutto il team sta lavorando e vivendo questa esperienza come se si conoscesse da sempre con un’affiatamento che ha dell’incredibile..grazie veramente a tutti. Vi aggiornero’ nei prossimi ggiorni sull’evolversi delle giornate. Ciao a tutti. - Antonio              

From Francesco - Ciao Team, ciao Dublin!!!

This is day 4 of my magic adventure in South Africa but the number I want to share with you is 1282…. This is the number of people we have helped today… it makes me feel just great!!

Our usual day starts at 7 am when we leave the hotel to go to the clinic (this morning I was late and almost missed the bus… so funnyJ) anyway….

When we arrive at the clinic there are already hundreds of people (I really mean HUNDREDS of them) waiting for us sitting under giants tents and when we arrived there this morning the welcomed us with a big applause, really touching!!!

During the day we rarely have the chance to sit and the temperature is usually over 30 degrees so it happens that you feel exhausted but as soon as you receive a smile from one of the patient or you think how long they have been waiting outside under the sun in order to see us, the tiredness disappears and a big smile appears on your face (at least it happens on mine).

After clinic, usually 6pm (please note we are 2 hours ahead of Dublin) as soon as we are back in the hotel, the whole team jumps in the swimming pool with a few beers each… this feels magic as well! See you soon guys, try not to work too hard! - F

Patients arriving to clinic in Mtubatuba.
Patients awaiting our arrival/Morning Amen prayer

8 Comments

  1. Andrea Marco Pietro Caterina & Ilaria says:

    Ciao Marco,

    E’ fantastico vedere come una persona come te di 39anni, con due figlie abbia deciso di prendere parte a questa missione, con la stessa emozione e lo stesso spirito di squadra di uno studente universitario in Erasmus. Nella speranza che anche i nostri doni ti siano stati utili, l’augurio che ti facciamo è quello di tenere bene a fuoco l’obiettivo di portare ai bambini del Sudafrica la tua allegria e spensieratezza. Sappiamo che la vita della missione non è certo paragonabile ad una passeggiata tra i rinoceronti del parco di Kruger e che ti aspetteranno giornate molto intense, ma volevamo farti sentire la nostra vicinanza ed empatia in un momento come questo.

    Ti vogliamo bene
    I tuoi colleghi

    Posted on Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:50 am EST

  2. ClaireM says:

    Ciao Dalila, Joyeux Anniversaire !!!! Je suis heureuse de voir que tout se passe bien pour toi.
    Bises
    A bientôt

    Claire

    Posted on Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:35 am EST

  3. bkitchens says:

    Test

    Posted on Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:05 pm EST

  4. Rory says:

    Wow! We are all taking about you guys everyday in our neighborhood! Every time I see a neighbor they ask if I heard anything and always provide the latest with great pride knowing the efforts all you are putting into this.

    Posted on Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:12 pm EST

  5. MONICA BONDIOLI says:

    Buongiorno team!!! I vostri commenti pieni di entusiasmo riempiono il cuore e mi riportano lì. Mi sembra di essere di fianco a voi ogni volta che regalate il fantastico dono della vista ad una persona, mi par di sentire perfino il caldo, nonostante i -10 e questo vento insopportabile..!!! Da persona fortunata, ho tante cose belle nella mia vita, ma se dovessi stilare una classifica, beh…con le Cliniche One Sight non c’è gara!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Un abbraccio e buon lavoro!
    Hambakahle ;-)
    Monica

    Posted on Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:12 am EST

  6. Samantha Lewin says:

    Wow!its great to know that you guys are all making a difference in peoples lives.  What a wonderful feeling and experience it must be.  Nice to hear you keeping the spirits pumping as well.  Keep it up and as I always say “stay loose”.  We miss you Sunglass Hut/ Luxottica team.

    Posted on Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:37 am EST

  7. Caitlin Teuton says:

    Hey Max,
    Love reading the blogs! So awesome to hear that everything is going well and you guys are giving the gift of sight. We miss you in the store and can’t wait for you to return. Don’t worry too much about us here we are doing great and making plan! Its great reading everyone else’s blog entries too. Have a great time! Return safe everyone.
    Caitlin

    Posted on Sun Feb 12, 2012 4:38 pm EST

  8. Talita says:

    Enjoy your second week of clinic everyone. Special love to our SA team, as well as Bill and Ellie. Can’t wait to see all the photos and hear all the amazing stories.xxx

    PS: Jacky, you are missed at netball!

    Posted on Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:51 am EST

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