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We do not yet have a mission report for the 2008 clinic trip to
Nandaime. The following stories from 2008 have been submitted by
NEVOSH volunteers.
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Eileen Tiexiera RN writes:
I have to say that this year, my memorable "moments" have been
watching Joe and Carl put this year's mission in place before,
during and after the mission. Probably the only people
that can truly appreciate what they accomplished and the time
and energy involved would have been Suzanne Sakovits and
Maryanne England (the wives!)...and of course each other! A
STANDING OVATION GOES TO THOSE 2 BOYZ! Thank
you, Eileen
Lynn Normand NP writes:
I have told most everyone that this mission was for me the best.
I was happy to be back to Nicaragua after a year absence. I
found that the pre-mission red tape, hassle and set backs did
not hamper the trip once we finally arrived. I was privileged to
talk with Omar (one of our hosts) and to learn of his turbulent
life during the revolution. The fact that he is host to
countless missionaries from all over and that he embraced our
efforts so honestly and affectionately was testament to the
powerful effect that charity in its best sense has on everyone,
the giver and the receiver alike. Also I practiced again and
loved it! The support and encouragement from the other team
members was wonderful. This is how the world becomes a better
place, Just do what you can to help and then don't stop because
it only gets better. I am so glad to have been part of the
Nandaime experience.
Thanks, Lynn Normand NP
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Often when picking a pair of glasses to be dispensed, one will glance
about the room, comparing the age and sex of the patient indicated on
the paperwork to those present in the room. It is especially
useful when pulling frames for a child of 10 - 16 years of age, as some
will need children's frames, and some will need adult sized frames.
It is for this reason that I often glance around the room and discern
which patient I am picking for without actually calling their name.
 There
arose a little confusion this year as a slip came in for a 94 year old
woman. The problem, it seems, is that not one of the lovely women
in the room seemed to be in her nineties. So, the patient's name
was called and a lively and smiling woman lit up and said the obligatory
"Yo." Linda Carpentier and I repeatedly asked the glowing femme if
she really was 94 years old, as she did not look a day over 65. "Noventa
y cuatro?", we queried. "Si." came the delighted response.
Noventa
y cuatro?.. we asked again, just trying to come to grips..."Por Supuesto",
came the response. After a final "NOVENTA
y cuatro", She thought perhaps we were doubting her, and uttered "Como
No?" Okay, so we do have the right patient, but I was still quite
amazed at her full flesh and glowing nature.
 The
fitting of glasses for this patient was easy. We were lucky to
have an attractive pair of bifocals that were just perfect for her
prescription. With a slight adjustment to the temple length, she
was set to have a comfortable pair of specs for reading and distance.
No problemas con ella.
 I
could not let her get away without a little playful fun, however.
I asked if she had a husband. She replied that she had none.
I told her that I, too, am unmarried. So perhaps we could be
friends. She indicated that if I came to her house, I would
never leave the country. Her charm and quick wit still have me
reflecting on the wonder of a long life imbued with such wit and vigor.
Brady
Linda Carpentier RDO writes:
Our mission to Nandaime, what can I say? "What a GREAT Mission". As
tough as it was to get there it was without a doubt well worth it. We
made a lot of people happy with their new glasses. I may have gotten
more blessing from people in this town than ever before. What a grateful
place Nadaime is. We had an awesome group of people working in the
dispensary. Deb Imondi, Deb Ervin, Stephen Burney, Brady Hart are
seasoned veterans who work so very hard to help so many people. Long
hard days with no complaints. That is what these missions are all
about. Jessica Barth was new to the mission this year and you would have
never known. She fit perfectly with everyone. She was upbeat the
entire week and that is sometimes tough to do. Maryann England and
Persephone Brown joined us in the afternoons and all there help allowed
us to get done at a reasonable hour. What a unbelievable great group of
people. We added the REIMS inventory system this year and found it to
save a lot of time in searching for Rx matches. It will also help us to
know what powers we used the most of. This will help a lot for future
missions. Another addition was taking all readers and suns from the ODs
who were short this year without the students and some fellow OD who
could not make the trip. These changes seemed to work out well for
everyone since we saw almost the same amount of people as in past
missions with less man/woman power. Linda Carpentier
Luisa Talavera writes:
Hey, guys! How are you doing? I hope you're
good. The fact that I'm writing today is because I got into the website
of NEVOSH this morning, reading all the stories about your last trip
this January 2008 and somehow I wanted to let you know that I'm really
thankful for having worked with you.
It's been amazing and awkward how Nicaraguan people are so blind
sometimes about the need that these people have. I honestly want to
THANK YOU in the name of all of the people who were helped this year in
my hometown, Nandaime. This has been the most wonderful experience I've
had so far... getting to know these people's needs and knowing that
there's so many people out there willing to help, like you guys... and
feeling that there's still some kindness in this crazy world. Haha!
So Thank You very much, I'm willing to see you again next year, and
longing to work with you anytime, anywhere. My sister Eliana (who
is a Medical student here in Nicaragua) and I were working as
translators on this Mission, and I personally got to work with the
Optometry Team, Lara, Rocco and Dr. Peter Eudenbach (the wisest man on
this planet, so thankful and down to earth!!! --give him a BIG hug from
me)... I also had the pleasure to meet Samantha Andreozzi, Sarah
England, Dr. John England and his wife, and also Kevin at
registration... I'm so glad I made many friends and had the chance to
work and to get to know the real part of life with you.
Thanks Again. God Bless You!
Luisa Talavera - Translation Team 2008
Sue
Seidler NP writes:
Most memorable to me about this particular mission that "almost didn't
happen" was the fact that it REALLY almost didn't happen.... (I think
we've had a few past missions that coined this phrase...) If it wasn't
for the patience and fortitude of our "fearless" leaders, Joe and Carl
and several others, this mission may have sunk... however, it did not
and I know we are all truly grateful for their hard work. In fact, I
think we served a population that was needier of health care than in the
past several years. Many of the people that I encountered had indeed,
never seen a healthcare provider.
For example, a woman came in on the 2nd day of the mission with a very
different looking rash on her face and extremities. Geoff Burns thought
it looked like Leprosy and Vidal Ruiz confirmed that it probably was. We
gathered up what we could from our limited "farmacia" and Vidal utilized
some medications that he has limited access to and we sent her on her
way with follow-up care arranged (by Vidal). She came back in 2 days
later, looking better, wanting to thank everyone. I received a religious
plaque from her and a big hug.....
I'm pretty sure I'll never see that again....
Sue
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NEVOSH
TRIPS:
2008 Nandaime, Nicaragua
2007 Monimbo Nicaragua
2006 Nandasmo, Nicaragua
2005 Catarina, Nicaragua
2005 Mus, Turkey
2004 Nindiri, Nicaragua
2003 Jinotepe, Nicaragua
2002 Ticuantepe, Nicaragua
2001 Monimbo, Nicaragua
2000 La Concepción, Nicaragua
1999 Masatepe, Nicaragua
1998 Niquinohomo, Nicaragua
1997 Lake Yohoa, Honduras
1996 Jutiapa, Honduras
1995 Omoa, Honduras
1994 Vera Paz, Guatemala
1993 Coatepeque, Guatemala
1993 Salama,
Guatemala
1992 Chimeltenango,
Guatemala
1991 Chichicastenango,
Guatemala
1990 Comayagua,
Honduras
1989 San
Manuel, Honduras
1988 Omoa,
Honduras
1987 Santa
Rosa, Honduras
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