April 7, 2026
Club members have known that Paul (Riverview Rotarian) and Cynthia Dusseault have been travelling to Ecuador for the past 5 years managing the cataract/optometry project (Mision Claridad). Prior to that, Paul & Cynthia assisted Operation Esperanza for 6 years. But most club members did not know that Paul & Cynthia have quietly been managing other projects. Today Paul and Cynthia talked about their most recent 3 projects.
The first involves upgrades to the public hospital in Santa Isabel, about 1 hour south of Cuenca. With financial support from 3 Rotary Clubs (RC Tomebamba, RC Calgary Stampeded Park and RC Riverview) renovations were done to the hospital's auditorium and nursing station. As well, a new electrocautery unit was purchased for the operating room. These changes at the hospital improve the delivery of services to the large rural population in this area of southern Ecuador.
The second project improves the medical services provided by a mobile surgical unit by providing a handheld, mobile ultrasound device. This mobile surgical unit (managed by the CinterAndes foundation) has been operational for 30 years.
The last project is a new project just taking shape. It is an offshoot from the previous cataract/optometry project and we're calling it the Claridad Vision Project. This is a simplified optometry project that utilizing an autorefractor to screen children for vision impairment. Through an agreement with a local Cuenca optical shop, children are able to get glasses at a dramatically reduced rate. Riverview Rotary will assist by providing funds to further reduce the cost.
In addition to the coordination and funding that Paul and Cynthia manage from Canada, this would not be possible without their long time Rotary partner The Club Rotario Tomebamba of Cuenca, as well as lead volunteer Rick Smith (Claridad Vision Project).
Photo of electrocautery unit being presented by Tomebamba Rotarians to Santa Isabel hospital staff in the newly renovated auditorium.
Handheld portable ultrasound (linked by bluetooth to a mbile phone) in use by CinterAndes staff.
CinterAndes mobile surgical unit, on location in Manglaralto, Ecuador.
Claridad Vision Project - Volunteer using the Portable Autorefractor to do vision screening.
