Last week was crazy busy! Last weekend an 'eye' team came down from the States. They are part of an organisation called 'Sharing resources worldwide'. This org. is a big warehouse where hospitals donate equipment and then doctors from hospitals around the area go off to diff countries to help out. So we had the eye team for a week, they have been coming for a few years and are quite frankly amazing!
Last Sunday was the crazy day. Children came from all over Honduras and Sunday was 'testing' day to see who they could help...they were then scheduled in for surgeries in the week. Children were given surgeries for cross-eyes (and all sorts of other weird and wonderful things!), eye tests were done on children and adults and anyone needing glasses were given them (ALL of this was for free) and prosthetic eyes were made. I was amazed at how many people and children only have 1 eye. Many chldren are born with only 1 eye, or had diseases and many adults lost their eyes through machete accidents. I was translating for the dr's in charge of vision tests. We tested over 120 children! Translating for 13 hours nearly killed me!! But was amazing. Weird and wonderful things were seen!
Not all the team that came were Christians, just people wanting to help.
I think the boy who touched all our hearts was a boy called Nayfer. He was born blind and his mother was also blind (only had one eye). There was nothing to be done to save the sight of either of them but Nayfer had no eyes and was given prosthetic ones. He was such an amazing boy. Playing with the other children like he was sighted, running around, even playing cars - and everything done by sounds!! He is 5 and is starting to learn braille. His mother is studying to be an English teacher. One day at the clinic he asked his mum if the sun was shining and if the suns rays were touching the plants! Priceless. Sadly he can't afford to go to a special school so goes to a public one - but only when the teacher is willing to co-operate or when someone can take him to school....obviously his mum can't! His zest for life was very humbling.
Last Sunday was the crazy day. Children came from all over Honduras and Sunday was 'testing' day to see who they could help...they were then scheduled in for surgeries in the week. Children were given surgeries for cross-eyes (and all sorts of other weird and wonderful things!), eye tests were done on children and adults and anyone needing glasses were given them (ALL of this was for free) and prosthetic eyes were made. I was amazed at how many people and children only have 1 eye. Many chldren are born with only 1 eye, or had diseases and many adults lost their eyes through machete accidents. I was translating for the dr's in charge of vision tests. We tested over 120 children! Translating for 13 hours nearly killed me!! But was amazing. Weird and wonderful things were seen!
Not all the team that came were Christians, just people wanting to help.
I think the boy who touched all our hearts was a boy called Nayfer. He was born blind and his mother was also blind (only had one eye). There was nothing to be done to save the sight of either of them but Nayfer had no eyes and was given prosthetic ones. He was such an amazing boy. Playing with the other children like he was sighted, running around, even playing cars - and everything done by sounds!! He is 5 and is starting to learn braille. His mother is studying to be an English teacher. One day at the clinic he asked his mum if the sun was shining and if the suns rays were touching the plants! Priceless. Sadly he can't afford to go to a special school so goes to a public one - but only when the teacher is willing to co-operate or when someone can take him to school....obviously his mum can't! His zest for life was very humbling.
I spent one afternoon after school just watching them make eyes - fascinating procedure!! Here's trivia for you....there are only 350 'eye makers' in Canada and USA combined. I think 2 or 3 in Uk and 1 in Brussels!! Yet 2 of these ladies gave up a week to come and make eyes for poor Honduran children.
So mornings were in school and afternoons in the clinic. But they have now left and another week stats tomorrow. We shall see what that brings!
Here are some of my photos and then I shall put a link for photos I took (not many as I was in a hurry!) and lots that Israel took (He had lots of time!)
A box of old 'used' eyes!!
This beautiful girl only has one eye so this is whilst they were painting it the correct colour and having it fitted!More photos.
OK, well I can't work out how to show you Israel's photos...a shame as they are beautiful! If you have Facebook you can see them on my profile....Dad, ask Pete to show you next weekend!!
2 comments:
Hi Katharine, your 'eye' week is totally amazing, we should not complain!!thank God for the NHS.
take care,God Bless, love Jean.x
great report on the eye team. You can't buy experiences like that and they will stay with you for ever. The more we witness compasion like that the more we understand Jesus. I envy you. Take care,love,
Dad
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