The Gift Of Giving
On November 23, 2024, Dr. Tiffany Sieunarine hosted a festive holiday market fundraiser at Insight Eye Care to support VOSH Ontario.
The event featured local vendors showcasing their products, all in support of raising funds for the upcoming mission trip to Guatemala. In this blog post, Dr. Sieunarine shares more about VOSH and the impactful mission trips, highlighting the true spirit of giving this holiday season.
What is VOSH?
Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) is an International organization whose mission is to transform lives through the gift of vision for people who can neither afford nor obtain such care.¹ VOSH Ontario was established in 1996 and has been sending teams to Guatemala since then to provide accessible eye care.² Participants over the years have included optometrists, ophthalmologists and other health and non-health professionals from Southwestern Ontario.
What type of services do you offer on these trips?
Various services are offered on these trips to meet the visual needs of the people receiving care. Typically eye examinations are performed on all ages, with an emphasis on those with visual concerns. In addition to accommodating any ocular emergencies like foreign body removals, dispensing of prescription and non-prescription eyewear is also offered, as well as for some, the opportunity to have cataract surgery
I am passionate about helping people and using the skills and knowledge I’ve attained in my work to do so. These trips are a reminder of the greater need in this world, and even though we are a small team, we can still make a significant impact in many lives. Participating has also motivated me to continue my Spanish studies so I can better communicate with the local people.
Do you have any memorable stories?
There are many stories of adults regaining their independence and feelings of self-worth as a result of the eyeglasses or surgery they received. On a trip a few years ago, there was a little boy who was blind from a traumatic cataract that developed following an injury he sustained on his family farm. He successfully underwent cataract surgery and as a result was able to attend school. To learn more about previous trips, visit: Dr. Sieunarine’s Guatemala Trip.
A special mention of Dr. John Wilkinson, an ophthalmologist from Waterloo Region who performs cataract surgery on these trips. He works tirelessly to treat often complicated cases while doing so with limited equipment and resources. To learn more about Dr. Wilkinson, visit the Waterloo Regional Eye Program.
How Can You Help?
There are two simple ways you can support VOSH Ontario and help provide eye care to those in need:
Donate Used Eyeglasses
Drop off your gently used eyeglasses at Insight Eye Care during regular business hours. We’ll clean, repair, and organize them by prescription for future trips.Make a Financial Donation
Your financial contributions help us purchase essential supplies for cataract surgeries. To donate, visit VOSH Ontario on CanadaHelps. Tax receipts are issued for donations of $25 or more.
On behalf of VOSH Ontario and our team, thank you for your generous support!
“To enjoy your work… this is indeed a gift”
– Ecclesiastes