We made it home safely, and what a successful trip it was.
A highlight of the trip was our day in Playa Grande where we saw a few patients, about 15, and had appointments at the Public Health Office and with the Mayor of Ixcán, in his office.
The mayor agreed to assist our work by paying for transportation for patients to the eye clinic, when they travel for eye surgeries. He will pay for one round trip. The patients will pay for any necessary follow-up visits. This amounts to about $25 per patient and is significant for these people.
The doctors at the Public Health Office had lots of good things to say about our work. They’re thankful since they have no resources to provide eye care in the Ixcán and are seeing the value in our work. In our conversation we mentioned that we were hoping some day to build an office in Ixcán. The doctor said, “We can help you with that. If you need some land to build on, you can use some of our land. We have two pieces of land available now.” My jaw dropped.
It looks like it’s time for a serious fund raising campaign!!
Click on any of the pictures below to enlarge the gallery.
The night before we left for home, I was taken to a small store to see a man, Juan, who had gotten tree sap in his eyes earlier in the day. He was in obvious pain and unable to open his eyes. Fortunately, I had some anesthetic drops and antibiotic ointment available. After treating him and reassuring him, we left him to sleep on the floor of the store, as his home was a 20 minute walk away. A few days later I was learned through a phone call that Juan was doing fine and recovered quickly.
It was a successful trip!
Scott Pike.