November 9, 2011

Hitting the Ground Running

By dwilliams

Anticipation was in the air as we completed our two hour bus ride this morning and pulled up to our clinic site in Jasol. Hundreds of people were gathered outside waiting for our arrival. As we exited the bus, we were thanked over and over again from people whose eyes were filled with hope. While entering the gates, the clinic volunteers greeted us with marigold chains around our necks and the ceremonial bindi on our foreheads. The welcome was phenomenal and moving. We settled in to the clinic site as the school children sang their daily prayers to the god of education.

Our clinic is being held in a school house that has been converted into registration, pre-testing, doctor exam lanes, IMS (for managing and dispensing donated glasses), Chabella assembly, and dispense. It took us a while to get all of our equipment and supplies ready and to get a good clinic flow going, but we managed to make it through our day with flying colors.

The feature story of the day comes from our team member Charlene Chang, a senior store manager from Sunglass Hut in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She worked today in the dispensing area and had the opportunity to meet Parjita Singh, an woman who had traveled many miles from a neighboring community to come to clinic. She had never had glasses and looked really uncertain about getting glasses. The moment Charlene dispensed Parjita's glasses, her face broke into a huge smile and tears came to her eyes. She could finally see clearly. She was so excited she immediately grabbed Charlene's hands to show her thankfulness and made a lasting impression on everyone witnessing the event.

Parjita was 1 of 857 people we were able to see today. Everyone left clinic with at least a pair of sunglasses to protect their eyes from the harsh Indian desert sun, and most left with a pair of prescription clear glasses as well. We exceeded our goal today of 800 people helped, and are looking forward to a busy day tomorrow with a goal of 1200!  

5 Comments

  1. Michelyn says:

    What a great first day! Hoping everyone has a wonderful experience .

    Posted on Wed Nov 9, 2011 2:41 pm EST

  2. Amanda says:

    Hi Holly! Happy to hear you made it safely and Clinic is off to a great start. You’ll be happy to know that the survey results are up to 85%! We miss you.

    Posted on Thu Nov 10, 2011 8:57 am EST

  3. Wendy Bencik says:

    Wow what a moving story Emily! I’m so happy you get to experience what I have been talking about for so long. I can’t wait to see the next entry! We miss you!!

    Posted on Thu Nov 10, 2011 9:37 am EST

  4. Tracey Crafton says:

    Emily - Sounds like everything is going great so far! Every morning we can’t wait to read your updates. What a wonderful experience. We love you, Mom and Steve

    Posted on Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:25 am EST

  5. David Borges says:

    Cindy. I’m so proud of you.Let it shine till you fell it all around you .We love you and miss you.                                     
    Dave

    Posted on Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:21 pm EST

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