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Eye Care Mission

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Peru eyecare mission!

by Riki - Licensed Optician

Traveling off the continent for the first time was daunting, long, but exhilarating. I arrived in Lima, Peru with my travel partner at about 2am. I was really asking myself what I got myself into because it wasn’t the nicest neighbourhood to look at, but when the sun rose it gave a new perspective on the place.
The very next day we were on our way to the school we’d be working out of for the next six days. Seeing the shanty towns on the hour bus drive and all the wild dogs in the streets really got to my attention. The school was mostly run by the church and the children's parents. In order for their children to receive a free education the parent’s needed to volunteer their time regularly by fixing up the school.
We had many optometrists performing eye exams on the parents and children with their optometry student partners and I worked in the dispensary as the only optician, but not alone. Thank goodness! I was really worried when I found out I was the only one, but I had the help of many volunteers who thankfully spoke Spanish, optometry students, and staff. We basically would match up their prescriptions as best we could to the donated glasses we brought along with us and then checked their vision, again thank you to all our translators!
We saw over 2000 patients in the six days we were there! Luckily, it wasn’t all work and no play and we began our tour of the many gems of Peru including the most famous Machu Picchu! It‘s like being on top of the ancient world. It was a whirlwind of activity, long hours, but I’d do again knowing we helped a community in need.