It's been another lovely project with TWECS full of bountiful affirmations of WHY projects like this matter. What really resonated with me this trip was community. Community in the places who hosted us, full of people who work hard year round to elevate the quality of life for the people they serve. Community in the people we served who helped each other understand our limited Spanish and brought their families, friends and neighbors to the clinics. Community in the lovely little hotel we stayed at who were not only excited to host our group but some hotel staff came and volunteered at the clinic, too. Community in the excitement of watching Peru play in the gold metal game of the COPA soccer final. Within all of that, the community of our team who maybe strangers at first or long time friends (and familes too!), experienced in the industry or laypeople all coming together to work hard to help bring clear vision to these delightful people. There was a strong family dynamic as well with parents and their teens on this project and it was powerful to watch the passion, integrity and impetus of efforts like this be experienced and shared together as family.
We may be all individuals but collectively, we are much more. Everyday on the way to clinic sites, we drove past a variety of sculptures that adorn some of the boulevards in downtown Lima and the hands holding up the earth made me think of the community of Earth and when all play together, what a wonderful world indeed.
Trina Mendria
Licensed Optician
Victoria, BC
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