June 1, 2011

Day 9: successful day at the Clinic, followed by pin ceremony and silent auction

By gbertuzzo

There is no need to spend any more words on how great this team is: on how committed we are, how much care of take of each patient, how efficiently we work,... After all, numbers are pretty much self-explanatory, and today number is....(suspense).... 1,460

Since we started, we have met approximately 7,000+ patients. In a big picture, they all might seem to share a similar story, but if you look a bit closer you see how each of them is unique. Like Senora Lucia, 66 years old, with no family and making a living embroidering. We can only imagine how hard it must have been for her to get by these past years... Thanks to her new glasses, she can work again and live a more comfortable life. Or like a another patient who was so happy with her new glasses, that she made a flower with a string of paper and gave to the volunteer that helped her. She has received the gift of sight, but I am sure Marinella (from Italy) will treasure that flower for ever.

To those reading this blog: all of this would not be possible without the people that support OneSight through fundraising and/or glasses recycling. An example, is the work done by Paige, 15, in the UK. Paige is Liam's daughter: she has not only donated her glasses to OneSight, but she has also been fundraising as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme. Way to go Paige!!!

After another day at the Clinic, we came back to the hotel for a very special evening. During the official "pin ceremony" we stopped for a few minutes to really think about how this experience is affecting us as individual, how helping people is helping us, and how we are building strong frienships. We all received a pin to remind us of how powerful a group of people can be, how our lives are affected by the people we meet, and that help is always mutually beneficial.

And last but not least, it was time to keep supporting OneSight with our silent auction. It was a lot of fun, we all have "memorabilia" to bring home and, most of all, we raised more than $4,000. PRETTY AWESOME!

2 more days to go! We will be back soon with much more!

Monica (Bond) Bondioli making sure all patients are confortable while transitioning from one station to another
In addition to our own team, we are honored to be working with some local doctors: muchas gracias!
A patient gives the thumbs-up to Doc Alli Wiedemann
Krzysztof Janiczak working hard to give the gift of sight to the people of Puebla
Joanne King put the
Liam Franklin dispensing the glasses that his daugher Paige donated to OneSight
Lisa Marie Martinez with a young recipient
Marinella Cassol with a skilled embroiderer
Jeffrey Dunaway leading the final stage of the auction
Dr Neil Roberts finalizing his bidding strategy at the silent auction
Giulia Laurini and Leah Harris of Seiko signing one of the items that will go toward the silent auction.
Martha Skokowski with Angel, 20 years old, had to go through some family drama before his aunt welcomed him in her home
With all the younger patients we see, it is fundamental to have all the right kids frames.

5 Comments

  1. Les says:

    Hi Leah, nice pics.
    Looks like you all are doing great work down there and having a good time with it. Hope you are getting a little down time to relax as well.
    Can’t wait til you get back to hear all about it!
    Don’t worry about Paul, we’re taking good care of him while you’ve been gone. Have a nice trip back on Saturday and talk to ya later.
    God bless, Les.

    Posted on Thu Jun 2, 2011 2:32 am EST

  2. Delicia Pirie says:

    Hello team Well done and keep it going. To Shelly from S.A miss you…..mwah

    Posted on Thu Jun 2, 2011 2:41 am EST

  3. Barbara W says:

    Nice to see all the smiles on the Team members and the patients! There have been some great pictures-some have even put a tear in my eyes.  You have all done a great job-you make us proud. Alli, looking forward to seeing you soon!...Love ya, Babs

    Posted on Thu Jun 2, 2011 8:06 am EST

  4. Betty S. says:

    Hola Sandra Tease and team Mexico,
    I have been following your journey faithfully and it makes me proud of what Lux. brings to people in need.As your mission winds down reflect on the ability you have had to change peoples lives and the life long friends you have made.It is a reminder of how important OneSight is.Great pictures look forward to hearing some great stories.Have an awesome last few days.
    Cheers and safe travel !!!

    Posted on Thu Jun 2, 2011 8:51 am EST

  5. Clark and Barbara Roberts says:

    Hi Neil,  We are happy to see Days 8 and 9 posted and know you are still alive!  Mom had a fun phone visit with Mason yesterday and she is sending him a package today.  Those lines are unbelievable and we are sure you are all working extra hard to bring sight and new lives to the people there.  Can’t wait to give you a big hug!  Love, Dad and Mom

    Posted on Thu Jun 2, 2011 10:50 am EST

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