Program Summary Nica Mission 2016

Santa Rosa Sunrise Rotary has examined 20,000 eyes fitted over 9,000 people with corrective lenses, 5,000 “gaffas” ~ sunglasses, in six countries over a period of ten years. On many of these international project missions dental services are also provided and have generated 900 extractions and 150 restorative fillings.  In addition to Sunrise Rotarians and their family and friends, Dentists and Hygienists from the United States and Nicaragua, Peace Corps Volunteers, and Nicaraguan Ophthalmologists and Optometrist have participated in the three-to-four day clinics in extremely underserved, remote areas.  The majority of these volunteers, whether professionally trained or entirely new to healthcare make multiple trips on these even-numbered year visits.  2016 was Sunrise Rotary’s seventh trip to Nicaragua. e first of hopefully more missions for our incumbent District Governor, this year Erin Dunn of Fortuna Rotary.  Erin also set a first by presenting Rafael Praslyn his father Yaro’s Paul Harris Fellow.   Steve Herron supervised the initial intake assessments Sunriser Steve Zwick, a fluent regular, travelled with both his daughter Jennifer Somer and 14-year-old granddaughter Alessa Somer.  She managed an inventory of over 500 pairs of glasses as well as taught songs and playground games to the many children of Azucenas, Nicaragua.  Other first timers Past Sunrise President Harry Coffey and soon to be Sunriser Paul O’ Rear, spouse of Past President Penny Millar quickly learned the roles of a “fitter”.  Paul’s Spanish served him well.  With Penny and Betsy Randolph’s fluency, the Fitting Room moved 672 very grateful people forward to new sights, most achieving at least 20-40 and many 20-20 acuity!

Everyone’s Hero, Heroine was Carmen Gutierrez.  On her first project to Nicaragua, Carmen had a sixth sense and bilingual fluency, which broke through comprehension barriers and expedited clarity of mind as well as sight..

John Jones has received District recognition for his ongoing efforts in this collaboration.  Peter Hoberg has been preparing a Global Grant Application to extend the regional Sabalos Health Center’s scope with a 2,000sf surgical center so that eye surgeries and other procedures can be performed locally, and timely.  Ezbon Jen, Sunrise Rotarian with deep roots at Santa Rosa Junior College does heavy lifting, literally, in procuring dental equipment from the college to use on the mission.

In every sense of the term, Dream Team describes what these adventuresome, skilled, willing volunteers represent:  Goodwill and Better Friendships, Improved Vision, Oral Health and International Understanding.  Plan ahead for 2018!!