Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Just how far will Lions go to help people see?
For more than 30 years, U.S. Lions have journeyed
thousands of miles
to the Central American nation
of Honduras for
a comprehensive sight mission.
- Our mission is to serve and provide vision.
And as an eye doctor,
that's perfect for me.
- Honduras produces some of the finest coffee in the world.
However, many people live in poverty
and greatly need eye care.
- We have 40 mission members
on this mission from the United States,
primarily Indiana and Ohio.
And we are working in conjunction with our partners
in service, the Lions Club of Comayagua.
- It is amazing the camaraderie, the friendship,
extended family, if you would,
that we have developed
with our fellow Lions here
in Comayagua.
- The mission that is centered in the town of Comayagua
attracts many people from rural areas
who make the journey for a chance to improve their vision.
- We had one little boy this morning from the coast
that came about 11 hours by bus.
Some of them know that this is
their only shot at getting
some help for their eye problem.
During this week, we will examine 2,000 patients
for eyeglasses.
- They come in
almost 4:00 in the morning.
And they have to wait two hours to come in. And no complaints.
- [Speaking Spanish]
For many poor people,
it's the only opportunity to see a doctor.
So they are willing to wait.
- This is a life-changing journey
for each and every person who receives a pair of glasses.
- [Speaking Spanish]
I thank the Lions Club of Comayagua
and the Lions that came from the United States
and provide us with the glasses that are so useful to us.
- We had a person on
one of our recent missions that
received a pair of eyeglasses.
His sight so much improved
that now he was going to be able to become a supervisor,
which would give him an increase in his salary.
It means a lot to his family.
- The sight mission is a huge undertaking,
and Lions teams prepare months in advance
to have enough glasses for everyone in need.
- There's a great deal of effort behind the scenes.
We are collecting eyeglasses all year long.
We are collecting equipment all year long.
And then we have to ship it here to Comayagua
via shipping container.
- This comprehensive mission does much more
than provide glasses.
- We will accomplish 180 surgical procedures
with our team of ophthalmologists.
- They treat a lot of elderly with cataracts
but perform a variety of other sight saving surgeries.
This is the second time that Maria has brought
her daughter Alejandra to the mission
for eye surgery she could not afford.
- [Speaking Spanish]
At first, she was unable to see,
and we had to guide her around.
She had learning problems.
But now after the surgery, I'm really happy because she is
more independent and able to manage by herself.
Thank you all so much.
- You cannot buy what you get
when you come down here and see what happens.
People are so, so appreciative of what we do.
That's what makes the trip worth it.
It makes the tears come to your eyes.
They really appreciate it.
- More Lions should come on trips like this.
You're going to make a huge difference in lives.
And it's not only the lives of the people here, but you
will change your life forever.
- Gracias, Leones!