Cataract Surgery
Señora Maria’s daily struggle to sew and weave crafts for her family is a constant threat to their livelihood. Señor Alfredo can no longer see to repair his hut and mend fishing nets. These are but a few common stories we regularly hear from the aging population in our villages.
As the intensity of the jungle suns affects the eyes of many of the village elders, it impacts their family members and the overall health of the villages. Over the last several years we’ve been tackling the idea of bringing cataract surgery to our villages. As the number of elders we’ve identified as good candidates for cataract surgery during our visits increased, the obstacles — of where, how and who to do the surgeries safely — seemed insurmountable.
Because of the support of our donors, over the years we’ve successfully tackled challenge after challenge. You’ve seen it firsthand – health care clinics, dental clinics, women’s reproduction clinics including pap smears and breast exams, infectious disease education and the development and education of health workers who are able to provide a level of care in between our visits. Lives have been changes and lives have been saved. Our villages our doing well. You’ve been a part of that journey.
So when Anne, fellow nurse and a DB Board member said “I think we can do cataract surgeries,” DB Peru dug in and went to work.
Since then we have finalized partnerships, logistical plans and recruited the eye surgeons to bring cataract surgery to our village elders. Almost all the pieces are in place.
· Eye surgeons from the US, Mexico, and Peru will provide all the clinical expertise and supplies.
· The local government clinic in Mazan will provide clinical rooms that we will renovate so that patients can receive their surgeries without going to the city of Iquitos.
· The mayor’s office will provide housing and food for the patients.
· The volunteer team is assembled
The Cataract Surgery clinic is scheduled for May 1 – 9, just weeks away.
Our last obstacle is the transportation costs of travel for people from 20 villages to the clinic in Mazan – a two-to-three-hour boat ride.
The housing, the clinic, the surgeons — check, check and check. We built it but we need your help so the patients can come. Our goal is to treat 100 patients which means we need to raise $10,000 in the coming weeks – $100 per patient, and we are asking for your help. Your generosity has improved and saved lives in the last 23 years. Now, we can take it a step further. Please help the senior citizens and the many other villagers by giving today.
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