Date: 9-30-23
On September 30, we held a one-day clinic (Voshito) for refugees resettling in Tucson. Invitational flyers were distributed through the International Refugee Committee (IRC), Jewish Family and Children’s Services and Lutheran Social Services. Additional flyers were shared online to Paisanos Unidos (via IRC). The flyers were in English, Spanish, Ukrainian, Pashto, Dari, Arabic and Swahili.
Thanks to the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, we had a free, multiroom space for this clinic, including an outdoor play area for children. Setup of equipment and signage in multiple languages at each station began at 7 am. The doors opened at 9, with many refugees arriving early and waiting outside until the 9 am opening. By 5 pm when the doors closed, we had seen 185 refugees.
The clinic was staffed by 6 optometrists, one retired optometrist, one ophthalmologist, 2 opticians, 13 optometry students, 6 translators (Russian, Ukrainian, Dari, Arabic, French) and 6 ‘regular’ volunteers. Many of the staff also spoke Spanish and a few bilingual refugees stayed to help translate Swahili and other languages.
Alcon donated the eye drops, and we were able to use previously donated frames, sunglasses and cases. Lesco Optical agreed to make the lenses for only $11, single vision, and $13 for bifocal glasses. VOSH International provided a $1000 grant to help defray the cost of lenses and a neighbor of one of our board members spontaneously donated $500.