Clinic Blog: 2011 India 3 Clinic Blog
October 27, 2011
Our last clinic day
By lweinstein
Our last clinic day in Goa was like all of our others: busy, fun, and very emotional. Not only were we seeing patients, but saying goodbye to our volunteers and packing up the clinic for it's next destination. But first, we started our day, as always, with a team cheer. Today's cheer was written by Sheila, and "sung" by Sheila, Dr. Molly, Jody, Bridget, Kathy and Amy. It was so good, I've added the words here.
"Di-A-lation" (sung to the tune of 'Celebration')
Di-a-lation time, COME ON!
There's a clinic going on right here
A Onesight clinic they run throughout the year
So bring your old frames, and wear comfy shoes
Cuz we're gonna check your vision then di-a-late you!
Come on now, Dialation
Let's all dialate and have a great time!
It's time to work together, 1or 2, which is better?
Everyone's from around the world- ONESIGHT!
We challenge the upcoming Global Missions to add verses to our cheer!
Orinally, we scheduled 600 people, but an additional 1,000 showed up. Our total for the day was over 1500 and for the entire 8 days over 8,500 people were given the gift of sight. After clinic we honored our volunteers who spent the 2 weeks with us, translating, picking inventory and making sure we and our patients communicated well. We provided gifts brought from home and elsewhere to show our appreciation for their dedication and hard work. The tears flowed from both Clinic Members and volunteers. Following the volunteer presentations, came the grueling work of breaking down the clinic for shipment to it's next destination. Each piece of equipment had to be cleaned, sorted, tagged and placed into their proper places. It was a difficult job, but we finally completed it. After everything was placed on the truck we went from the clinic site to a Diwali party given in our honor hosted by the Goan Minister of Heath at his home. We were treated like royalty and enjoyed a tour of his home. Dinner was traditional Goan food. It was delicious and everyone had a great time. On the bus ride home we were entertained by a rousing sing-along of any and every song anyone knew.
It was our last night together as a team. Everyone knew it and no one wanted the night to end. Some of us went to the Raddison Hotel next to our's for some karaoke. When that was over the party moved back to our hotel and we danced the night away. Midway through the night, it began to rain with the partygoers jumping out into the rain to do the Electric Slide. No one wanted the night to end.