April 2024 Newsletter

In April we welcome three new chapters in Lebanon, Venezuela and the US. President Santiago makes an important reflection on the need of peace and justice to achieve the SDGs. We welcome the new leadership of VOSH-Northwest, congratulate the recipient of the Canadian Medal of Civil Merit, share requests of volunteers for Guatemala, Honduras and Solomon Islands, feature Mongolia’s children’s vision work, a peer reviewed paper on a VOSH clinic in Panama, and more.

President's Insights

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 has at its heart the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Achieving these goals requires that each society be able to achieve prosperity. Real and lasting prosperity is only achieved in peace. And true peace is only achieved in justice. Read the whole article here

Lea el artículo en español aquí.

News from our chapters

The Vision Care Association of Lebanon has established a VOSH chapter to be known as VOSH-Lebanon. We extend them a warm welcome and look forward to working with them in the incredible humanitarian and education work they do. The President of VOSH-Lebanon is Dr Ameer Abou Adela (ameer.abouadela@hotmail.com)

The University of Health Sciences of Venezuela has established a school chapter to be known as SVOSH-UCSV-Venezuela. We can learn a lot from their outreach work. Bienvenidos!!!

The faculty adviser is Mercedes Ortuno (mercedesort@gmail.com)

The Rocky Mountain University College of Optometry based in Utah, USA has established a student chapter to be known as SVOSH-RMU. We are delighted to welcome them on board. The President of SVOSH-RMU chapter is Mina Attia (Mina.attia@rm.edu).

VOSH-Northwest new leadership

Dr Mary Ferris is the new President of the VOSH-Northwest chapter.

We extend her and the new VOSH-Northwest leadership a warm welcome.

Read more about them and Dr Ferris' priorities duirng her presidency here.

Founder of VOSH-Santa Cruz- Quebec receives Medal of Civil Merit in Canada

On March 21^st, Father Pierre Labine, founder of VOSH-Santa Cruz-Quebec received the Medal of Civil Merit for his humanitarian work from the Governor General of Canada. For 25 years, Father Pierre has taken part in some 70 humanitarian clinics in which over 500 000 people in need benefited. These clinics also gave hundreds of optometry students each year the opportunity to gain skills that will make them globally minded professionals.

Celebrating 6 years of the inauguration of the school of optometry in Haiti

Jonathan Simon, first president of the SVOSH-UEH-FMPEO chapter at the school of optometry in Haiti writes a chronicle on the 6^th anniversary of the opening of the school. You can read the article in French here and the Spanish version here.

VOSH/International looks forward to the graduation of the first class of Haitian optometrists.

SVOSH-PUCO Amigos Newsletter

This super active SVOSH chapter has published its Spring newsletter. Read the whole newsletter here.

Volunteers needed

NSU-OCO SVOSH needs ODS for Honduras

The SVOSH chapter at the Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry is looking to recruit some optometrists for their clinic to Roatan, Honduras August 7-14, 2024. Please see the trip description here and send all inquiries to the attention of Alissa Proctor, OD, at proctor1@nsuok.edu.

ODs and Ophthalmologists needed for Guatemala

Between 21 and 28 July in the city of Tacaná. The clinic will take place at a beautiful Catholic compound near the Mexico Border. Food, lodging and local transportation will be provided 130 eye surgeries and 800 eye exams are planned. They need 4 optometrists, 2 ophthalmologists, and 4 nurses. Interested volunteers need to cover only their airfare and lodging if there is an overnight for the flights.

Between 13 and 19 October in Jalpatagua at a small Catholic hospital compound near the El Salvador border. The team has been there several times. This clinic has great support from the hospital and the local Lions Club. Transportation and lodging will be provided. 120 eye surgeries and 700 eye exams are planned. The team needs 3 ophthalmologist, 3 optometrists, 5 nurses and helpers.

If interested in any of these clinics, please contact

Glenn Lashley

Projects Coordinator

Cell - (386) 846-6293

gmlashley99@gmail.com

ODs needed for Solomon Islands

The Loloma Foundation is looking for volunteers to join their medical/dental/vision outreach to be held in September 5-14, 2924. This foundation has been active for 22 years offering their services to the island nations of the South Pacific. Learn more about this trip here and about the Loloma Foundation here .

Publications

Journal of Optometric Clinical Practice features results of VOSH clinic in Panama

The most recent issue of Optometric Clinical Practice features an article on “Results of a VOSH Trip to Panama”. The Optometric Clinical Practice Journal is an online a peer reviewed and free journal. Read the whole paper here.

Mongolia's Children's Vision

Professor Bruce Moore, member of our Education Committee, just returned from an exciting trip to Mongolia. Prof Moore is supporting Orbis International in a collaboration with the General Authority of the Education of Mongolia to enhance children’s vision. Read a local press article covering this work here.

Glasses improve income, not just eyesight.

This interesting article published on the New York Times refers to a study carried out in Bangladesh among garment workers, artisans and tailors who after receiving free reading glasses experienced a 33 percent increase in income compared to those who were not given glasses. Not surprisingly, the study concludes that uncorrected presbyopia, makes it harder for breadwinners to support their families. The article is here and the full study can be accessed here.

For questions, corrections and/or contributions please contact Maria Arce-Moreira, Executive Director at vosh@vosh.org

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