By Sally Lee, Editor-in-Chief of Columbia Magazine
Every year, for the last ten years, I’ve volunteered with a group of eye doctors to bring medical services to the town of San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. Working with Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, (VOSH) I help staff a clinic that provides free eye exams, prescription drugs, and glasses. Most of our patients have had no access to any type of eye care. They travel long distances to get to the clinic and we make sure everyone is seen. This year we provided care to 3,205 patients in just 4-days.
Sally Lee, center, with daughter Grace, right, and local volunteers
Many of my service trips take me to places that are hot, dirty, dangerous and of course economically disadvantaged. I’ve volunteered in Malawi, Haiti (five trips!) and India. I get more from these experiences than I ever could from a week at the beach or spa. It’s a gift to work side by side with local volunteers who are willing to share their culture and country with our team, and to spend time with doctors who care deeply about the world’s injustices and who are doing their part to contribute to the common good.
