VOSH-CT… 19 Years And Still Growing!
A team of Volunteer optometrists and optometry students made up of 40 Berkeley College of Optometry, SUNY College of New York Optometry and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy Health and Science traveled to San Juan del Sur and held a 4-day clinic in a local school providing eye exams, treatments and glasses for 4,688 people! In that number were 32 students from our Project and 17 adults.
For 19 years, VOSH-CT, led by Dr. Matthew Blondin and attorney Audrey Blondin, bring thousands of pairs of donated glasses and sunglasses and medications for the clinic. Many people need glasses, but the clinic doctors also treat people for cataracts, minor eye injuries and other issues. They also bring clothes, shoes and food to the residents.
A neighboring town’s school was heavily damaged by Hurricane Maria in October, and volunteers collected and delivered books and other school supplies. “Anything we can do to help them out.” said Dr. Blondin (seen in photo above with two young patients).
You can see their journey for yourself if you take a moment to look at the magnificent video created by Katie Brugger, a videographer currently living in San Juan del Sur, who is volunteering by producing videos for various non-profits.