Smiles in Abundance!

Smiles were in abundance!  Such a simple tool can make such a difference.

Many struggled to put them on properly.  Ears and hair were an issue.  But, once that challenge was overcome, the smile that broke out on the faces was priceless.

What is this amazing tool?  This tool that many adult Ugandans need but can never afford to purchase?  

Reading Glasses!

We went to Kwechombi Calvary Baptist Church to hold a reading glass clinic and a community church service.

When we arrived, there were about 50 people waiting patiently under a tree.  The pastor had invited some of the local community members to come for a reading glass clinic.

Pastor Darryl Womack was the brains behind the operation, he has done many similar clinics in Moldova.  He got us organized and then the smiles began!

Shelly and Darryl helping a patient

We began by using a “Reading Glass Diopter Chart”.  You know, the chart that has the same sentence in progressively larger font, each font showing what strength glasses you need, from 1.00 to 3.50.  

Using the Diopter Chart

The directions on the chart said to hold the paper 14 inches from the face.  What is 14 inches exactly?  So, I measured a ribbon and tied it to a clipboard, giving us an exact 14 inches from the nose to the paper.    The people, though, seemed to think that it was necessary to keep the ribbon on the nose while they were reading the paper!

Refusing to drop the ribbon!

Then, we decided we could use two papers, so I used a stick to measure the 14 inches of that paper.  It was hilarious when some of the women would not put down the stick to read the sheet.

NOT a magical stick

After the people found their approximate strength, they were sent to the actual glasses.  There, the team had people trying on an upper, middle and lower strength to find the best for them.  

When they found that perfect strength, they would get so excited that those that could read would just start reading a whole paragraph out loud!

Finally, we also gave them sunglasses to help prevent cataracts.  I think some were more excited about those than the reading glasses.

 

The entire experience made me realize how blessed I am.  I wear glasses all the time, can’t see without them.  I can’t imagine going through life without glasses, what I would miss.  I am blessed that I take my glasses for granted.  It is an essential thing for me.  Not something that is an optional thing, such as new clothes or new movie.  I see glasses as a MUST.  

But these people see glasses not as a necessity but as a luxury that they cannot afford!  Such a different perspective.  But now, we have changed their perspective on life - literally (no pun intended)