May 24, 2011

One Sight Mexico - Day 1: Training

By gbertuzzo

For those wondering...we all arrived to Puebla safely!

Our adventure started with the team meeting at Mexico City airport and experiencing a little qui-pro-quo with the local custom - luckily all was solved but this will for sure make for a great story!

After sharing the 2.30-hour bus ride to Puebla, we were welcomed by hot pizza and had the chance to associate names to faces. Team members come from several different countries, including the USA, Canada, Italy, Brazil, South Africa, Poland, UK and Switzerland. All from different cultures, but all committed to bring quality eyecare to the people in Puebla. One of the neediest areas of Mexico, the average annual income is $207. Overall we are prepared to help 10,000 people during the clinic and yes, after a day of set up and training we are ready! Opening day is May 25th, 10 am ribbon cutting ceremony.

Today was dedicated to full preparation, including set up of the different areas, from registration to dispensing. At the same time, all team members were trained in the various areas familiarizing themselves with equipment and processes. It was a full day with great learnings  - for many of us was the first time using an autorrefractometro!

Excitement about tomorrow has been fueled with local mexican food and laughter....oh, yes, and tequila as well! just to support the local economy and agricultural products (hello blue agave!)

However, images speak louder than words and thanks to our photography captain Carolyn Rebelo we have alerady some pretty good snaps to share

Stay tuned for images from the opening celebration being held tomorrow, in addition to team photo including an exclusive appearance of a truly, special friend!

ENJOY!

 

 

Pre-opening set up and training

Our home for the next 2 weeks, City Express Hotel.
Artwork of local artist inside our hotel
Carolyn Rebelo with our local counterpart Armando
Ok, we arrived..now we need to figure it our which way to go...
..made it! here we are entering the building where the clinic is being set up
VW Bus: our transporation for the next 2 weeks
Leah Harris, Chiara Bernardi,Francesca Ravagni and Krzysztof Janiczak using duct tape to identify paths for patients to follow from station to station
Anne-Marie Lahr training Rosanne Nietupski and Francesca Ravagni on the auto-refractor
Marinella Cassol practices the auto-refractor with the help of Jeffrey Dunaway's eye...
Dr Neil Roberts and Dr Michelle Brehm with optometry students Rachel Lamis and Brigette Bloom. Time to examine the examination equipment!
Quick Pick inventory of recycled eyewear sorted by prescription
Directly from Canada 'Eh - Dr Aleem Bandali, Joanne King, Carolyn Rebelo and Sandra Tease
The Italian ladies: Eliana Fontanelle, Marinella Cassol, Francesca Ravagni, Greta Bertuzzo, Bond Girl Monica Bondioli, Giulia Laurini and Chiara Bernardi
And for dinner, mexican food and laughter.

11 Comments

  1. maurizio says:

    A special hug to Pam: hope you’ll have a great time like we had in our mission.

    un saluto anche agli italiani in missione.

    good job team and enjoy your time!!

    maurizio.

    Posted on Wed May 25, 2011 12:48 am EST

  2. Talita van Wyk says:

    Well done to everyone! All the best to you! Shelley, lots of love from everyone here, as well as your mom and the rest of the family! Big higs xxx

    Posted on Wed May 25, 2011 2:36 am EST

  3. Mike G says:

    Wow! Great first day everyone! Looking forward to more stories and pics from Puebla. Carolyn, remember that’s how WE first met. LOL Have fun!

    Posted on Wed May 25, 2011 6:36 am EST

  4. Claudia B says:

    Looks great everyone, I know you are all making a difference.  Keep up the great work and have fun.  Can’t wait to see all of the pictures

    Posted on Wed May 25, 2011 9:21 am EST

  5. BIG AL says:

    Hi Carolyn you take good pictures
    carolyn i cant find monkey i found you but were is monkey keep up the good work ....BIG AL

    Posted on Wed May 25, 2011 12:20 pm EST

  6. AL Rebelo says:

    Hi Carolyn
    were is monkey did monkey get taken from room
    did monkey become a gift by mistake carolyn were is monkey .......AL

    Posted on Wed May 25, 2011 12:29 pm EST

  7. Marianna Monego says:

    Ciao a tutti gli italiani in Missione in Messico!! braviiii PS: Ciao Marinella da parte di tutti noi!!

    Posted on Wed May 25, 2011 1:21 pm EST

  8. Melissa Trent says:

    Hey Mom (Rosanne)!!!
    Hope your having fun!! Call me when you can!!

    Love,
    Your #1 daughter Melissa

    Posted on Wed May 25, 2011 6:38 pm EST

  9. Clark and Barbard Roberts says:

    We loved those pictures son, especially the one of Dr. Roberts!  I wish I could be there with you Neil, so I could help you with your Spanish:)  Actually my Spanish is getting pretty rusty!  We are so proud that you are our son and happy that you are having a good time.  Now that Ev is here, we will try and stay in touch so that we won’t have to listen to that stupid phone.  Mom is here beside me and if I am not mistaken, she has tears running down her cheeks.  Love you so much Neil, ...Mom and Dad

    Posted on Fri May 27, 2011 4:53 pm EST

  10. Jean Israel says:

    Hi Neil:
    I think you tried to call tonight. I finally took some time to find the site to reach you. You look happy and I can’t wait to hear the stories when you get home. You missed Dad’s 85th birthday bash. We talked about you and were so glad you were helping others. Dad and Mom couldn’t be prouder. Love you more than words can express. jean

    Posted on Sun May 29, 2011 9:09 pm EST

  11. Jeff, Olivia, Mitch says:

    Nice pictures. looks like a nice place. I can’t believe you could see that many people. Keep up the good job. We all miss you!
    Love. Jeff

    Posted on Wed Jun 1, 2011 8:47 pm EST

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