This is the text of Dr. Wasserstein's first email transmission from Nicaragua on the mission in 1999 to Masatepe, Nicaragua.
He sent four updates to VOSH members back in the states, we reproduce his writings here for archival purposes.
Update 1
First Mission report
from Dr. Jonathan Wasserstein (a.k.a. Juan Carlos)
Bienvenidos de Nicaragua:
Just wanted to send a message to those of you who were not able to make it. For those of you reading this after returning, this can be a reminder.
We are staying at the Alhambra hotel in Granada. Everything is very nice, unlike last year. The clinic site is the nicest anyone has ever seen. There are plenty of large rooms that can handle all of our needs and more. The glasses are here, and there are an awful lot of them. Another bonus is that we have more translators than ever. No room is without at least one at all times.
Today we saw over 600 patients. The medical and dental groups were overwhelmed. The optical staff saw 367 patients. There were scheduling problems, but we have been assured that we will have more tomorrow. With thew group that we have, I think we can handle 600 in optical alone.
Everyone down here is very nice, from La Brigada VOSH to the local medical personnel to the workers. So far things are going very well.
I will attempt to give daily updates after each of the four clinic days. If you want to reach anyone here, please let me know at this address.
Adios.
Juan Carlos