November 15, 2011

Worth the Wait

By dwilliams

Lines can be frustrating. Whether you're in a hurry at the grocery store, sitting in a traffic jam, or standing in line for a turn on a roller coaster, no one likes lines. Imagine, now, that you have already traveled a great distance, a few hundred kilometers by foot, camel, or community bus. The line you enter is a few hundred people long and when you are standing at the end of it, you can't see the beginning. The sun is beating down on you and it is over 90 degrees outside. Water is scarce, and your thirst is immense.

Sounds intense, right? Our patient Sarwan did just that. At 70 years old, he has never had a pair of glasses in his life and has never seen his family clearly. He had heard of our clinic from a friend of a friend and begged, bartered, and plead for a ride to Jasol from his home a few villages away. His wait was over two hours in the hot sun until we were able to see him, but two hours seemed trivial to him compared to the hope he had of leaving the clinic seeing clearly for the first time. The moment we put the glasses on his face Sarwan starting crying. He went around the dispensing area and thanked everyone over and over again because he could see! In a moment of awe, he exited clinic and as he looked out over the fields of his home land, he threw his hands over his head in thankfulness. It was an incredible view.

We were able to help over 5,241 people during our week in Jasol. The hospitality and kindness of the people from the village was unbelievable. Our team was honored to be a part of a “gratitude ceremony” conducted by the Lord of Jasol where the men were gifted with turbans and the women with white wraps. The week was exhausting and amazing at once, and it was such a privilege to be able to restore our patients' right to sight.

This week we are holding our clinic in another nearby city, Priparli. Keep reading for more stories!

 

**Also, for those interested in contributing to our cause, please visit https://onesight.donordrive.org and select India Clinic

Waiting in Line - Courtesy of Mark Lyons Photography
Clinic Coordinator Mona Darbonne dispensing glasses- Courtesy of Mark Lyons Photography
Patrizia dispensing glasses-Courtesy of Mark Lyons Photography
Emily dispensing glasses-Courtesy of Mark Lyons Photography
Angela dispensing glasses-Courtesy of Mark Lyons Photography
Mauro getting glasses ready for the patient-Courtesy of Mark Lyons Photography
Drs. Holly, Nishi, Hetel, and Christie writing prescriptions

4 Comments

  1. GIAN LUCA says:

    Forza Patrizia, qui tutti fanno il tifo per tè....mi sembra che le emozioni non ti manchino.
    Ritorna più ricca e non di soldi vero!!!!!
    Un abbraccio ROMANESCO dar più matto dei matti
    LUCA

    Posted on Wed Nov 16, 2011 2:06 am EST

  2. Wendy Bencik says:

    Emily, This story brought tears to my eyes…I love it! Sending hugs to you and the team! Keep up the good work! Miss you!

    Posted on Wed Nov 16, 2011 4:57 am EST

  3. Daniele says:

    Bravissimi per tutto quanto state facendo. Patrizia sei da calendario e complimenti anche al fotografo. Un saluto, ci vediamo presto.

    Posted on Thu Nov 17, 2011 9:13 am EST

  4. Massimo says:

    Care colleghe complimenti per il vostro lavoro!!! Sono sicuro che vi state impegnando molto!! Una abbraccio caloroso dalle fredde Dolomiti!! Baci baci a Rosy, Patrizia e MariaElena!!! Massimo India1

    Posted on Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:43 pm EST

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