Happy and sad moments

Tuesday, January 13, 2009


I enjoy my daily walk from the farm to the Hacienda.Chico accompanies me faithfully.
A greet the people and take pictures. A farmer is on the field tending to his cows.
The Fair on the square is still not taken down and the family traveling with the fair, still sleep in the little blue trailer. Now windows, no toilet. What a life this must be.
It’s an eye opener to see how people get by with so little.
Our bus leaves early today for a two hour drive, west towards Manzanillo. It is a long drive, but it allows us all to visit and get to know those, who are not on our team, better. We feel like we are on field trip with school. All in our yellow Shirts, with on the back the reading chart with: “Rotarios en accion para un mejor vision” (Rotarians in action for a better vision) On the front is the Rotary logo, The Project Amigo Logo “Vision Week 2009” and the names of the sponsors, which are Bear Creek Rotary Club, Colima Rotary Club and Project Amigo. The yellow shirt has the logo of the Banana Plantation. We take advantage of the chance to stretch our legs midway and use the bathrooms.
The bus takes us to Cerro de Ortega, a banana plantation community. Project Amigo is very much involved here with students and the Cyber Cafe, which is also supported by the banana plantation as well. The owner, who we met last year, sponsors a large group of children from the community towards their education.

When we arrive the students are already busy setting up the facility.
Today we see mostly children. Some very poor from the southern states, other quite European looking and a little better off and others with the beautiful Mayan features. to our surprise many of the boys speak very good English. They tell us their family has worked in Washington at the Apple orchards for several years. Some have come back, for the warmer weather, others because of the economic situation in the US.

We see a mother bringing in a small baby, who’s eyes got severly damaged as a result of her premature birth. The doctors explained that if this was dealt with within 72 hours of her birth it could have been corrected. At this point there is little the doctors can do. There may be limited vision. We see the mothers tears and we are all very sad for her. Kurt explains that, although the baby may not be able to see, she could have a very happy life.

We walk to the Cyber cafe for lunch, which has been prepared by the students. There is quite a nice variety, including rice, beans, and tomatoes.
On our way back we see the migrant workers, almost like gypsies walking down the street carrying bananas.

In the afternoon we see more mature patients. I continue my explanation. "I am going to take a picture of your eyes. With the right eye first look in the centre of the lens, open wide and try not to blink". Every now and then, my partner Pat gives it a try, but he is more comfortable writing the readings down.
We need to wait again for the last group to get their glasses, while we start cleaning up the first number of stations, which are all packed up again for tomorrow’s clinic. It's so nice to be able to see the older people leave with glasses and able to see or read, what they may not have been able to do before.
During the bus ride back at 7:00 pm some of us nap, others enjoy aa beer or just talk.
We are surprised to hear the music coming from the square. I thought the party was over. “No, tonight there is dancing”, we are told. Not for us, we are tired and need some sleep.