Over 2,000 People Helped in El Salvador
Last month, Tracy Matchinski, O.D. from the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) traveled to El Salvador with VOSH Illinois for a mission trip.
In just six days, 22 volunteers helped over 2,000 people! The volunteers were comprised of six students from SVOSH ICO, an O.D. from VOSH Illinois and 15 team members from FUDEM, a non-profit organization in El Salvador.
The team distributed the 300 readers and 100 sunglasses from Restoring Vision that National Vision donated for this trip. An additional 1,283 pairs of glasses will be made and distributed by FUDEM. This makes the 42nd mission trip we have supported in 2017.
Testimonials
“It can change a person’s life to see clearly, to be able to look someone in the eye, to connect with the world.” – SVOSH ICO Student
“This was the first time working with FUDEM and it is a sound clinic model. We went to five different clinic locations in more rural El Salvador. All examinations were free and glasses were very inexpensive. If a person could not afford them, FUDEM had programs to help.” – VOSH Illinois O.D.
About El Salvador
Image Credit: U.S. Dept of State
El Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. Its capital and largest city is San Salvador and its population consists largely of Mestizos of European and Indigenous American descent.
El Salvador’s economy has historically been dominated by agriculture, beginning with the indigo plant and then followed by coffee, accounting for 90 percent of export earnings at its prime. El Salvador has since reduced its dependence on coffee and embarked on diversifying the economy by opening up trade and financial links and expanding the manufacturing sector. However, the country continues to struggle with high rates of poverty, inequality and crime.
As is the case with many Latin American countries, eye problems are common in El Salvador and are due in great part to a lack of resources. There is an overwhelming amount of blindness and suffering directly related to preventable diseases of the eye.
More Pictures From El Salvador
Jessica Altamirano
Latest posts by Jessica Altamirano (see all)
- Meet the 2019 National Vision Scholarship Recipients - October 14, 2019
- America’s Best Honored by Department of Defense for Guard Support - September 18, 2019
- Meet our Summer Interns - August 7, 2019
