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Clinic Blog: Burkina Faso Clinic Blog

October 8, 2010

“Je vois!!”

By kzahn

Day three of clinic- 1845 patients seen, 247 ophthalmic referrals, and 30 manufactured glasses…that is how it’s done!  After an evening of rainstorms and frequent power outages,  what a fantastic day in Burkina Faso, and with the help of the Lions Club members (and our wonderful host Michelle), we were able to streamline the clinic process, getting more patients in and through their exams in a much more efficient way, which was quite helpful because when we arrived at clinic, there were multiple hundreds of anxious Burkinabe’s waiting for us to open the doors. Fortunately, we have been lucky enough to have been provided with more equipment on this clinic than on most others, which has aided us in detecting and diagnosing some very serious health concerns, including trachoma (which is the second leading cause of blindness in the world), possible brain tumors, advanced glaucoma in young patients, retinitis pygmentosa (extremely poor vision in the dark that progressively gets worse), congenitive glaucoma (in infants and young children).

However, with as many heartbreaking stories as their could have been, the mood was consistently joyful and positive. We even had a French phrase of the day was, “je vois!” Over and over again, we heard it said, but did not know the meaning- as most of us do not speak fluent French.  During the last dispense of the day, Rene handed an elderly gentleman his pair of beaten up recycled frames (to most of us, they would have been “tossers,” the lenses were scratched and the frames broken down).  With exclamation, he announced, “je vois!” (which translates to “I see!”).  He tried his best to explain how this will change his life, and how grateful he was for his vision.  These are the moments when you take a look at your own life and reexamine what we all take for granted- our homes, our nice cars, our fancy clothes and sunglasses, and our “poor” economy.  We are an extremely fortunate country living well beyond the lavishness of others, what one man may consider to be trash, is, quite truly, another man’s treasure.

From Rod Blough (USA)…

“Today an older woman arrived at the ‘reader/sunglass’ station with a slip that indicated she needed sunglasses and had a referral to the ophthalmologist.  We dispensed the sunglasses and then found she did not have a phone number for her referral call.  She had level 3 and 4 cataracts, so the follow up referral call was critical.  The patient produced a cell phone, but did not know her own number.  By working in partnership with several OneSight team members (Rene, Stephan, and Sharon) and an interpreter, we made arrangements for the elderly patient to leave and get her phone number, and return with it. She returned an hour later, looked me up and down, and we got her phone number on her form.  Due to some great teamwork, the patient will now be able to have her cataracts addressed”

 

From Stephan Ivester (USA)…

“Today I had the amazing opportunity to work at the distribution zone.  This is the last part of the chain where we deliver new glasses to the locals.  I was working with a ten year old girl who had her hands out to collect her new glasses, so I extended them to her, expecting her to eagerly reach for them.  I was visibly puzzled when she didn’t reach for them, then a colleague told me that she couldn’t see them.  I was so overcome with emotion at that moment, I had to step away to recollect myself. It was then that I realized how important eyecare is and the impact it makes in the world.”

 

From Sofia Westling (Sweden)…

“Today I met a little girl, 7, and her father. The girl was not seeing much and unfortunately, there was not much we could do about it.  Some people you just cant help with glasses.  When I was telling the father, he looked at me and asked, “So she can’t go to school?” I looked at the man and told him that of course she can! She just need to sit a bit closer to the board.  She have a problem seeing, not thinking! He smiled and was so happy after that.”

 

From George Borouilos (USA)…

“Today I was asked to search for a prescription for a man in his mid-twenties.  His prescription was around a +12.00.  In other words, this man in unable to clearly see his family members faces when they are right in front of him.  We were unable to find a good match in the mens selection, so we were forced to choose glasses from the womens selction because it was the only good match for his prescription.  When I fitted him with the glasses, his reaction confused me.  I was expecting excitement, and instead he seemed like he may not like the frames that were chosen.  Through Rene’s translation, we were able to  determine that he wasn’t upset, but paralyzed by the shock of seeing for the first time. I had been told stories about this, and now I know this was experience was a first that I will always remember.”

From Jeanine Giraldo McHugh (USA)…

“Today I worked in an are called “Vision Acuity.” I had a very elderly woman with huge, thick glasses come for the test.  The test is that typical eye doctor test where the letters get progressively smaller on each row.  We asked the woman to take off her old glasses and tell us where she saw in the top row. She could only see a vague shape without her glasses on both eyes.  With her glasses, she could see the second row.  Even with her big, huge, thick glasses on, I had to walk her to the next station because her vision was so poor. Often at vision clinics it is hard to find glasses in the donated inventory to fit someone who needs such a strong prescription. That is very hard for the team not too be able to find good glasses. At this moment, with this woman, I realized, even if what we can do isn’t perfect, we will still be able to help her see better before she leaves.  She will be able to see where she is going.”

 

October 7, 2010

Clinic day 2

By kzahn

It is day two of clinic, a day to remember.  The heat is scorching and the masses have gathered.  The streets are lined with mopeds and bicycles, the women are dressed in beautifully colored dresses, the men in suits, children and babies play around in the dirt.  We are all prepared for a long day, but looking forward to the reward ahead.  Most of us are feeling the effects of the travel and jet lag, dehydration and exhaustion are lurking around the corner for most of us. Fortunately, most of the clinic is being held indoors, and there is an ample supply of water.

We began the day with multiple advanced cataract cases, lots of blindness, and large amounts of scarring in the eyes. The Burkinabe’s average lifespan in between 45 -50, many of them develop eye issues when they are children and unfortunately go their entire lives with no vision.  I was lucky enough to dispense a pair of glasses to a man today, a teacher for 15 years with a -14.25 prescription, and although he was unable to clearly explain his gratitude, the look on his face when he put the glasses on was overwhelming.   In French, he explained that in his 15 years of teaching, he had never seen one of his students and how he had never been able to teach them to read.  He was excited to point of quivering and the smile that came across is mouth is one that will resonate in my memory.  He grasped my arm, and I welcomed an embrace.  It was a moment that I will cherish, and although I may not be able to express it with perfect words, I hope I can share my experience and let you know how wonderful this trip has been.

October 7, 2010

Clinic day 1

By kzahn

Today we began the vision clinic. Awake at 6:00am, filled up on baguettes and croissants, dressed in our OneSight  blue gear, and on the bus by 7:30, we headed over to the site.  After a successful team meeting and delegation of all tasks and assignments, we arranged our stations and prepared for our patients.  The first group entered the clinic at 9:00am, and with eagerness our volunteers took them through the process- beginning with dilation drops and glaucoma testing, a Visual Acuities test, auto-refraction, and a specialized eye health check.  Then it was off to see the doctors where they checked the prescription and followed up on any eye health issues as well as gave out a referral for a local ophthalmologist that would be able to treat cataracts.  From that point, the patient was given a prescription and taken to our Inventory Management System (a computer program that is based off of current inventory of recycled glasses along with the patients needs).   Once a pair is matched to that individual, they are taken to the dispensing area and fitted and adjusted into the glasses- this is where the magic happens!  Fantastic and heart-warming stories come out of every section of the clinic, but in the dispense area, there are moments that the chills go up your spine, the goose bumps jump off your arm and tears well up in your eye…I call it “magic”.  It is the look of wonderment, the immediate clasp of your hand, the gratitude and never-ending “merci beaucoup.”  It is the tears in a patients eyes and the excitement they feel because for most of them, they haven’t seen in years, if ever and now they know what the world looks like around them.  This is Burkina Faso, 95% of the population is uninsured, the average income is barely $300US a year, the literacy level is the second lowest in the world, and the optical need may be one of the greatest in the world (our partners have been working on coming to Burkina Faso for over 5 years).  This is why OneSight, Luxottica and its partnership with the Lions Club is so important, these are the reasons why we do what we do and why we are here, it is the soul of this project and the heart of OneSight.  In the next few days, my posts will include more stories and photographs depicting some of that “magic,” rather than only the daily events. Please view as many of the photos as you can and comment as much as you can, the more we can raise awareness, the more we can provide communities with this gift. 

During today’s clinic, we were able to see 678 people…only a minute handful of those in need of vision.  We also had the extreme pleasure of being honored by the Governor of the Bobo-Dioulasso region, as he honored OneSight in a ceremony help by the Lions Club.  During that ceremony we were charmed by an African Beat band (some of the members were patients we had seen earlier in the day), a dancer, and many speeches by local dignitaries- including a presentation from the Burkina Faso Department of Health in reference to a donation of $10,000 to the Lions Club in order to sustain a vision program in Burkina.

Tomorrow, our goal is 1800 patients, and we look forward to sharing our stories about many of them.   Our gratitude goes out to you and we thank you for reading and participating in this blog/ journey with us.

October 7, 2010

photos

By kzahn

October 5, 2010

Bonjour Bobo!!!

By kzahn

At last, we have finally arrived at our final destination! It has been an incomparable adventure full of new experiences, great stories, and immense anticipation for the days to follow, as tomorrow marks our first clinic day.  The space is set, the glasses awaiting their upcoming owner, and we all cannot wait to begin this journey.

I should probably start from the beginning of our adventure and our newfound quest for the ultimate inanimate object that take the shape of Africa, starting with a knee abrasion on Dr. Noah Weirda (see photo one).  Having travelled from all around the world, the team met up in Charles de Gaulle Airport.  A little exhausted, “window- shopped” out, and full of café au lait and croissants, we boarded Air France ready for the next long ride. With movies/games galore, a little rest, and a quick stop in Niger, we landed in Ouagadougou (pronounced Waa-gaa-doo-goo, for those who were at an utter loss in trying to say it correctly).  As we exited the plane, the entire team was in awe.  Most of us had been informed of the country’s economy, but until seen, we could not fathom the impoverished community.  We endured a long wait through customs, a sea of local vendors with prepaid calling cards, and eventually loaded our bus to the Hotel Amiso.  Once gathered for dinner, and somewhat cleaned up, we walked across the street to a small restaurant, a true hidden gem.   By candlelight, we enjoyed a pleasant dinner of Coca-Cola, rice and “le poulet avec oignon et boeuf aubergine,” accompanied by a famished group of mosquitoes!  When we arrived back at the hotel, we had a most interesting experience, the exchanging of local currency (the CFA), a task that seemed nearly impossible as it is prohibited to attain in any other country other than Burkina Faso. With the help of a local Lions Club member, a friend of his, and a grocery bag of money, we were able to change out our currency with an excellent exchange rate- $1 US is equivalent to 465 CFA or 1 euro to 655 CFA, and we think we may have been given a little extra which will go towards our OneSight Fundraising!

The next morning, at 6:00am we joined together in the hotel bar to indulge in croissants, baguettes, jam, and Nescafe coffee- a great start to the day!  We loaded our luggage, boarded our bus and photographed galore, avoiding pictures of the police and firemen- having been told it was illegal and we may get fined.  Thus began a bus trip to remember.  As we drove through the streets on our way out of the city, accompanied by an overabundance of mopeds and bicycles, we were hit with a reality and many broken hearts.  Burkina Faso is one of the world’s most poor countries (ranked 5^th) and while researching, I was sympathetic but could not fathom what that actually meant.  If I had a way to describe the areas we travelled through, it could not do justice.  There are few to no roofs on buildings (those of which have not been abandoned), trash liters the red dirt streets, there are vendors lining each lane of the road, donkeys pulling carts and women cooking on the ground. However, as the hardships seem completely incomparable, the Burkinabe’s have a pleasantry and kindness about them, which in turn gives one a true sense of humility and gratefulness for an opportunity to be part of this team.

As we exited Ouagadougou, along an extremely narrow and bumpy dirt road, we entered a beautiful green countryside of sporadic farms, farmers and their villages. With a honking horn to inform all that we were coming through, we were greeted with cheerful smiles and waves.  We also expanded on our collection of inanimate Africa images including a cloud, a head rest design and Sofia’s birthmark.  We made a “halfway there”  pit-stop at a local market where we were bombarded with a vast sea of children vendors wanting to sell us bread, juice and water packets, fried chickens, among a variety of other “treasures.” It was as though we were the main attraction in town and instead of us coming to experience/photograph their lives, we were the subjects of their camera-phones and mobbed at our arrival.   Having our first interaction with the public (and a fantastic bathroom experience), we understood the importance of how very little can go a long way.

Two and a half hours and an extremely hot and daunting bus ride later (thank you to Jeanine, Sofia, and Davide- our resident French speakers), we were greeted by the Lions Club and a banner in the middle of the highway in Bobo-Dioulasso.   After almost 54 hours of travel, we made our way into town, similar to Ouagadougou, but with more trees and more red dirt.  Our accommodations, Hotel L’Auberge, were awaiting our arrival along with our Leadership team.  Quickly we found our rooms, and a few large gecko’s, then made our trek to the clinic site.  Fortunately, the leadership team had already set up the mainframe of the flow and all we needed was a quick run through of the clinic process.  Back at the hotel, and a quick jump in the pool, we ate dinner (chicken and rice) and were surprised with a sudden down pour of rain along with lightning and thunder show.  However, as lovely as that may sound, with that storm also came what one might consider being an inconvenience…a power outage.  Normally, not so bad, but in a third world country and an unfamiliar area, it could be a tad frightening.  Luckily, for those of us who had a flashlight we brought them out and it only lasted for approximately a half hour, and there were no incidents.

September 29, 2010

OneSight- Burkina Faso Clinic- October 2010

By kzahn

Hello family, friends, co-workers & donors!

Welcome to the Burkina Faso Team Blog! If you're interested in virtual participation in our upcoming OneSight Clinic to Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, Africa, you've landed on the right blog! Our team of 40 volunteers and doctors from all over the world will spend one week providing complete eye exams and new glasses to a few thousand Burkinabies who could not otherwise afford to see the world clearly.

Every day, we will be posting highlights from our vision care Clinic including stories of our recipients, the team experience and a little about Bobo Dioulasso itself. We will arrive in Ougadougo, on October 3rd and beginning the 4th will be posting messages, videos and photographs through October 9th. 

 Be sure to log on every day so you don't miss a minute of the excitement!  And, if you're interested, our team is also raising money to help fund our Clinic.  Make your donation to our team today! 

http://onesight.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&eventID=502

 

A little background about OneSight and our Global Clinics:  OneSight is a family of charitable programs dedicated to improving vision through outreach, research and education.  Sponsored by Luxottica, OneSight programs have helped more than 7 million people over its 20-year history.

Each year, OneSight conducts two-week clinics in developing countries where our doctors and trained volunteers provide free eye exams and recycled eyewear to thousands to people in need.  To date, we've run 175 clinics in 35 different developing countries.  This year, we have planned 20 clinics in developing countries around the world.  For a complete listing of the Clinic locations, visit www.onesight.org.

We'd like to thank all of you in advance for your financial and emotional support for OneSight and our clinic team, as well as a BIG thank you to our local volunteers and coordinators who will make this clinic possible. 

Thanks for visiting our BLOG, and we hope you're as excited about the clinic as we are!!