A Sight for Sore Eyes

Dr. Steve and I trying out our glasses...

This past week, I had the opportunity with a few other PCV’s to Perquin in the Northeastern part of the country to help translate with a group of doctors and volunteers from the US with Eye Care Campaign International. I had actually helped out last year; I remembered how welcoming and friendly that group had been to us PCV’s during their visit (not always the case) and decided, why not help again?

Now, as many of you know (I hope or you think I just hang in my hammock all day) I have had several projects, classes, activities, youth camps, and various training's throughout my service, but last year’s Eye Care Campaign has by far stood out. The event spans two weeks of $2 (or what you can pay) full eye exams for the community where its location is decided upon by someone super important. Needless to say, the volunteers and medical professionals tested long and short distance, prescriptions and even did several small surgeries and fake eye implants.

Being a Peace Corps Volunteer, it’s difficult sometimes to see the direct results of our work. Unfortunately, more times than not, things end up being unsustainable and are only effective after two years of being in country. I can only hope that I have made a positive effect on the people and community where I live. Whereas this project, it’s directly helping Salvadorans. Simply giving them glasses to finally see clearly or a little better than what their vision was before. It’s allowing women to finally be able to read the bible when they go to church, the men with simple sunglasses to protect their eyes in the sun while working in the fields, teachers to see better in the classroom setting or the young kids receiving glasses for the first time.

Many times in El Salvador, most people just want to receive something, to be able to go home and show their family some American doctors poked, prated with their broken Spanish and they left with a pair of glasses. I translating with a few PCV’s and other travelers all of last week the entire day, which is a lot different than my hammock-meeting-go-to-the-school-read-hammock-bucket bath schedule. It was so fulfilling to know that my somehow-manageable language skills were making a difference especially when I feel that in my community, my hands are tied on projects that I just can’t accomplish.

chikita for afternoon snack?

The group of over 40 doctors, ophthalmologists, opticians, and other volunteers from the United States (mostly from Cleveland/Ohio area, shout out!) were incredible. My friend Denise and I walked up the stairs after traveling for over 10 hours to get there and we were welcomed without even knowing who we were except that we were Peace Corps Volunteers. Within five minutes, we were bought beers and I knew it was the same group as last year. They were appreciative of our efforts being there to help out and we were thankful for them in schlepping down to the small but special country of El Salvador to give medical attention to most people who really cannot afford to see a specialist for anything, let alone, glasses to see. J

Besides the Eye Care Campaign, I took a short weekend trip to the beach to celebrate on last get together of the group who are finishing their service in March. A couple I was connected with from the US (thanks Donnie!), Kate and Aaron was visiting as well and came to join us. They seemed to fit in the group just perfectly. It was fun just hanging out with everyone and relaxing, I will really miss those PCV’s who have listened to me vent about counterparts and assisted in advice and service ideas. J

As for good news, PC El Salvador has received 12 new trainees at the end of January! The only things I know about them is that there are only 3 guys in the group (poor girls), one has already broken their leg somehow and that they are finally here! They will be in training until mid-April so I have no idea when the old PCV’s (I guess that’s my group now…weird…) will meet them, but it’s still exciting.

Made enchiladas for lunch one day...fresh avocado from the veggie truck!

This weekend I had to say goodbye to my counterpart and best friend Lily from my site, who starts her University classes on Monday in San Salvador, she is one of the few in my community who has left to become Licenciada (University degree). I am SO proud of her, but I know I will miss hanging out with her…practically every day. We went on a hike this weekend with our friend Beto, here’s a photo of him trying to through her into some natural pools we visited.

Women receiving the last of solar lamps from 20kwatts! They all had to get pap smears beforehand!

Work wise here…my school director randomly threw together a small library in the small storage closet at the school, so I have been working with Peace Corps and the US Embassy to get books donated to expand the (small) library for the kids! Sometimes I wonder how her brain works sometimes. I am putting the final touches with two other PCV’s to have a “All Boys Bro Camp” in April to involve leadership and sports activities while teaching awareness on HIV/AIDS materials. We are planning to hike El Pital, which is the highest point in El Salvador (not a volcano surprisingly), so I am looking forward to checking that off my bucket list. ;-) 

Until next time, hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day back home, Feliz Dia del Amor y Amistad (better late than never…).