VOSH-CT recently completed its most successful mission trip to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua in their 16 years of service to the area.

It is estimated that more than 1,000 patients were seen each day, totaling approximately 4,488 patients spread across 4 days, and breaking last years patient total by 1,200.

This year’s VOSH-CT mission trip consisted of over 142 volunteers, which included 8 optometrists, 44 optometry students, 10 translators, 1 optician, 10 optical assistants and 60+ local volunteers.

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Optometry student Kimberly Raucci tells us about her experience as one of this year’s volunteers.

“We were able to give out glasses, sunglasses, glaucoma medications, artificial tears and more to people who desperately needed them and couldn’t otherwise get them. We actually ran out of sunglasses by the last day because we saw 1,000+ more patients than we were expecting!”

VOSH-CT brought along with them a total of 8,000 pairs of sunglasses, eyeglasses and readers all donated to the mission from local organizations. Kimberly Raucci donated over 100 pairs of optical lenses to be used for the mission from her family’s Optometry practice, Family Vision Center, with locations in Stratford and Bridgeport CT.

“It was a great experience as a student and humanitarian alike – to be able to take a few days out of my schedule and life to help others. Most were very thankful — I got many hugs, some blessings, and one man even brought me some oranges from his house as a thanks for diagnosing him with glaucoma!” Kimberly Raucci

Each year VOSH-CT makes it their mission to help those in need of general eye care, we look forward to seeing all the great work they’ll do in the coming years..

To learn more about VOSH-CT, click here.