Day 16 - Last TWECS Team Banquet

When my dad asked me to join him this year, I jumped at the opportunity to travel to the Philippines and work beside him and my mother. As gratifying as that was over the last two weeks, it became about the people I met during my stay here. We all have basic needs in life, and unfortunately not all of us are able to have that. Without sight, how does a child go to school, learn, graduate and then work to provide for their families? How does a parent raise their child not being able to see them? So I came with no expectations with the exception of working hard and help people who truly appreciated us being there. I heard it time and time again. They stood in long lines, waiting, and when they came to me for registration, I greeted them with a hello and a smile. It's all I had really. I don't speak their language of course, and my quirky sense of humour didn't always translate (to my dismay ) but laughter and giggles did. I don't think I ever laughed so much in a two week period. With my teammates, the translators, the patients, it was endless. That kind of laughter kept me going. There were days I was so exhausted, but it wasn't about me. To watch a child kiss my father because he could see clearly for the first time, moved me much more than the stories he brought home from his past missions. As great as they were to hear them over the years, watching it, in front of my eyes is something I'll never forget. NowI understand. There are many stories of course, and I even have a few myself to share with anyone who is willing to listen. I had many friends back home say I was doing a good thing. I didn't understand what they meant. Two weeks of my life, helping others who need it should be "natural". I got so much more than I expected. The people of the Philippines are beautiful people. I've met so many new friends who all believe in the same cause. I want to say Thank you to the volunteers that helped us in every aspect of this project. A lot of them became close friends that I've now added to Facebook. They shared their home cooked meals with me, which I thoroughly enjoyed by the way, and it has given me a chance to truly experience the Philippines and the people here. Salamat Po. I'll be back! ;)
 

Christina Dawson,

TWECS Team Member

 

 

 

Goodbye banquet at the Makati Shangri-La, hosted by Andronica Roma.

 

 

 

Day 15 - Check in at the New World Hotel

Today, the team checks in at New World Hotel Makati, 5 miles away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Day 14 - Last clinic day for 2012!!!!!

Today was our last day at clinic and we were all excited, but at the same time, extremely sad. Seeing and interacting with the poorest of the poor has allowed me to understand and value the fortune that we have at home. It has been such a pleasure to work the Filipino people and we had the company of amazing volunteers.

Our last day at Santa Mesa was busy but one of the best days I had on this trip. The feeling of exhaustion was overcome when we arrived at clinic and, like all the other days, there was a large line up of people waiting for us. Registration got easier day by day; the types of questions that we were suppose to ask became second nature. The flow of the overall clinic ran smoother and the days began to feel like routine. There was nothing routine about the smiles that we received though. All the patients had their own way of expressing their appreciation to us and every smile was memorable; we even had an elderly patient sing to us. I could not have asked for a better mission. We are thankful for all those that helped us along the way, including the Honorable Vice Mayor, Isko Moreno, and his volunteers, Andronica Roma, and many more. TWECS members started off as individuals, then we became a team, and now we are family.

Jessica

TWECS Team Member

 

The never ending line up of approximately 550 patients within 8.5 hours.

 

 

 

Barangay 600 (administrative division) serves the patients breakfast soup while conducting the examinations.

 

Dilation drops put into patients' eyes by Dr. Roma-March for eye health check.

 

TWECS 2012 team and volunteers pose for the last group picture at the clinic.

 

 

 

Day 13 - Second last clinic day

Dispensary at Santa Mesa clinic

 

We arrive every morning at about 8 o’clock. There they are, patiently waiting our arrival; The beautiful, gentle people of the Philippines. When they see us they break out in smiles and greet us. They have already lined up and wait for us to take down their names and other information. The volunteer interpreters help make it all go smoothly and off they go with form in hand to the next station. They will probably be there for at least five to six hours, in this incredible heat but we do not hear any complaints! I am humbled by their incredible, hopeful spirit in such squalor. They’re so fast to laugh at my silly jokes and as I try to make them feel comfortable in such tight quarters.

 

At the end of the day most will go away with glasses that will help them in their daily living. I feel that we have made a difference and that gives me the energy to be excited about the next day to see what other miracles are waiting!

Linda Dawson,

TWECS Team Member

 

 

A young girl's first pair of glasses which were prescribed to be -8.00. The transformation from a frown to a smile and tight hug is always the best sign of appreciation.

 

Hi everyone,



 

Today was our second day at Santa Mesa and our second last clinic day of the mission. I am having mixed feelings about nearing the end of the mission. I know we are all getting tired from the long days, but it will also be sad to see the end of the mission as there are still many local people who desperately need eyecare services. I have been impressed about how friendly and hospitable the Filipino people are. Every day we see people line up for hours in the heat and they wait patiently, while back home patients often get angry with a short 15-30 minute wait for their eye exam. 

It is sad to see so many people who have struggled for years with poor vision due to uncorrected refractive error and treatable diseases. I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to help give sight back to some of these people. I have seen several patients over the last 9 days with refractive errors between -12.00 and -16.00 diopters. For comparison, an uncorrected refractive error of approximately -2.50 to -3.00 diopters is sufficient for someone to be "legally blind" by Canadian definition.

One thing about the Philippines that I have found interesting are the extremes. There is extreme poverty only a block or two from 5 star hotels and highrise condominiums. There is beauty next to desolation. But one thing that is constant is that the people are very friendly everywhere we go. I look forward to coming back again in the future.

Thanks for reading,

Michael Langenberger

Basketballs donated by TWECS team members to local Barangay office, as this sport was commonly played in the area.

 

                

The initial testing of distant visual acuities by a volunteer (left) and his finalized prescription and fitted glasses (right).

Dr. Lisa Scharf and volunteers: 500 patients could not be examined in 7 hours if it weren't for the help of our many volunteers!

Day 12 - First day at Santa Mesa, Manila

Hello everyone reading,

This is our first day at Santa Mesa and it is refreshing in its cleanliness and relative safety are very welcome. We are set up in the local basketball court since it has all we need: A roof and electricity. After about 30 minutes of rearranging the area  to our needs we begin in earnest. All of us except the opticians are in position one,  Registration or position two, visual acuity. A full bench press to get the patients moving. Within 1 hour we have registered over 130 patients and they are beginning to move onto the health assessment and auto refraction.

 

All is going well although some of the members are a little taken aback by the washroom facilities (not actually as described in the brochure if you understand my drift). The population seems a bit better off but they are all very eager to be seen by us. A peculiar tradition was taking place this day.
 

A member of the community had died 2 days ago and the remains were exposed for condolences in a small chapel just next to our clinic. Now there is a quirk in the Filipino penal code that allows for gambling during a funeral otherwise gambling is limited to only casinos. So right next to the coffin , a group were playing cards for money. The reason for this practice seems to be that it is relatively costly to be buried here and this allows the family to collect the necessary money to have a proper burial.

 

At the end of the day some of us went for a leisurely stroll down the main street and since it was marienda time (coffee break) lots of local delicacies were out on display. I am attracted to the more interesting foods so i find skewers of BBQ chicken heads, chicken intestines salted eggs as well as lots of fried bananas and other interesting foods.

The  day ended a bit early since we started at 730 and we saw about 430 patients today. It was a good day. I look forward to tomorrow to be just as good.

Regards to you all,

Pasq
 

 

 Our clinic at Barangay 600, Santa Mesa.

Today was our first day at Santa Mesa. This was also the first place that was large enough to organise our testing and dispensing area's. Our miracles today were mostly 8 to 9 yearolds that were not blind but would have to sit at the front of the class to see. The temperature seems to be hotter everyday but the smiles and greeting of the people keep us going. We are getting so much support from the volunteers thanks to the vice mayor of Manila and especially from our drivers that tackle the traffic and pollution, getting us to the projects and back.

Robert Dawson,
Optician & Board Member of TWECS

 

 

11 Year old James with -4.00 prescription as per Dr. Marina Roma-March was fitted with his new glasses by Tally.

 

Dr. Annie Micucci and a senior patient after completed refraction.

 

 

Seniors (60+) and patients with physical disabilities are very respected and always given priority in the Filipino culture.

Dispenser, Jessica Tu, tries to involve patient in the adjustment process.

 

 

 

Dr. Marcantonio finds time to enjoy himself at the end of the day...

 

 

Day 11 - Last Day at Smokey Mountain

Today was our last day at the Smokey Mountain clinic. It will be hard to forget the images of poverty in this area. Smokey Mountain is so named because it is built on and around an old garbage dump. Many people, including children, make their living scavenging garbage and recycling. We see people bathing in buckets along the side of the road, children in dirty and tattered clothing playing amongst the garbage, and whole families living in rough shanties. It is a reminder of how lucky we are in Canada. The Filipino people are lovely - friendly, polite, and positive. I have never been called "ma'am" so many times in my life! It has been a joy to work with them.
 

The eye examinations we do are fast and basic, but we strive to address their vision problems, as well as screen for cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases, and treat acute eye infections if noticed. Part of me looks forward to returning to my own clinic at home with its modern equipment and comforts (including climate control!) and part of me will miss the fast pace and "essentials only" nature of the clinic here. It continues to be a rewarding experience.

 

 

Dr. Lisa Scharf,

TWECS Team Member 

 

 Local children of Smokey Mountain in Tondo, Manila.

I arrived from Ottawa not knowing a soul, and I immediately acquainted with Jewel, another member of the team, from Victoria. Two strangers bonding together, and here we are after twelve days, 100% part of the team... working, laughing, some tears, and of course doing crazy things. All the members are so great,and we are getting along very easily.We are here for the same cause: helping the poorest of the poor.

Today, we went through about 500 patients. The sun was shining and everybody was  smiling, while they wait their turn. This morning, we had a 7 year old old boy who needed a -2.50... now he will be seeing at the board at school, he was glad. But we also gave glasses to a patient who was a -13.00... not too much left for this 16 year old girl, but just one pair was enough to see where she was walking... she was more than glad!

Claudelle Dionne,
TWECS Team Member

Encore aujourd'hui nous sommes a Smokey Mountain, ou la pauvreté est a son maximum, et en plus il y a cette senteur de poubelle et de dump....mais les gens on toujours leurs sourires et leurs patiences dans cette chaleur extrême ...Presque 500 patients a voir aujourd'hui, en plus il y a eu un orage vers 3 hres cette après-midi...on a dût faire vite pour se ramasser....

Demain,nous irons travailler dans un genre d'arena ou ont jouent du foot....mais c'est couvert et les côtés sont ouvert....et c'est moins pauvres qu'à Smokey, mais c'est une très grande pauvrete a comparer au Canada....nous sommes dans le Tier monde et c'est incroyable, inconcevable de voir des milliers de personnes vivre de cette façon....c'est toute une expérience à vivre, c'est gratifiant et triste en même temps,les gens sont tellement reconnaissant. Dire que nous vivons sur la même planète! Je suis contente de pouvoir contribuer à leurs apporter un peu de bonheur,et d'adoucir leur vie...aussi minime soit-il.

Claudelle Dionne d'Ottawa....19 novembre 2012

11 year old epileptic patient with +4.50 full time glasses

Elderly patient successfully fitted with glasses for distance vision by Jewel Knee, fellow team member.

After registration, patients distance visual actuities are tested with lots of motivation and positive energy from team members to obtain the best results.

Mid-day, one of the counsellors of Tondo visits the team to express her appreciation.
 

What a week in the Philippines with the TWECS eye glass project. Total registration this week were 2320 patients, and 2116 pairs of free glasses were dispensed, with 115 patients referred for cataract operations. To top this off, today I got to cater to the oldest (at 83 years old), and I also had the great pleasure of auto refracting the youngest, 9 month old Erica
 

                      

                       Erica with +2.25 glasses (she                 Emelita with -16.00 glasses

                      also has a spare pair of glasses

                                to grow into)

Rodger Konkle,
TWECS Team Member

 

TWECS Canada 2012 Team

This years team consists of 14 Canadians from a variety of backgrounds and goals. This of course does not include the help of all of our volunteers from the vice-mayor's office, and Andronica T. Roma, the local coordinator and founder of Special Philippine Eye Care Solutions (SPECS) Foundation, Inc.

Linda Dawson from Sunshine Coast, British Columbia.

 

Robert Dawson, TWECS director from Sunshine Coast, British Columbia.

Jewel Knee, optician from Canada.

Claudelle Dionne from eastern Canada.

 Christina Dawson from Vancouver, British Columbia.

Dr. Marina Roma-March, President and founder of Third World Eye Care Society from Vancouver, British Columbia.

Dr. Annie Micucci from our nations capital of Ottawa, Ontario.

 

Brenda Tosoff, TWECS director from Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

 

Rodger Konkle, from New Westminster, British Columbia.

Dr. Pasqualino Marcantonio, current director of TWECS and past President of the Canadian Association of Optometrists from Moncton, New Brunswick. 

Jessica Tu from Vancouver, British Columbia. Graduate of UBC, current optometric assistant, future optometrist.

 

Dr. Michael W. Langenberger, optometrist from Saskatchewan, Canada.

 

Dr. Lisa Scharf, optometrist from Salmon Arm, British Columbia.

 

 

Tally Vatankhah, current optometric assistant, student at SFU, future optometrist, and blog technician from Coquitlam, British Columbia.