Well, this marks the last post from the OneSight Kokstad South Africa Clinic Team and all we can say, is that this was THE MOST amazing experience. We apologize ahead of time - but are writing this on a hand-held, so there will not be any pics - only HUGE thanks to all involved.
Our last day of Clinic was Thursday. Our doors were only open until 1PM because we had to pack up 60,000+ pair of glasses and all our equipment on a bus heading 2.5 hours away to Mtubatuba for the next SA Clinic team arriving in two weeks! (Be sure to check out their blog as well!). During the last day, we saw 600+ people.
That evening, we had a lovely dinner - a "Bry" put on by our local hosts which was lovely and a pinning ceremony where each Clinic team member spoke about another and gave them a limited edition OneSight South Africa pin. It was a very special moment, especially when Oralio, a team member from SA got up and thanked us on behalf of his entire country as only he could have done.
Friday, we headed to Durban and have been here ever since bidding a fond farewell to groups of colleagues along the way. The first group to leave were the folks from South Africa including Odette, Wedaad, Oralio and Tshepo. They were an amazing addition to our team, eager to share the local culture and traditions as well as millions of smiles and heaps of laughter.
On Satruday, we bid farewell to the folks down under (Todd, Alice, Lisa, Helen and Forum), across Europe (Michaela, Martina, Marta, Claudia, Elena and Bekki) and members of our Leadership Team (Paul, Rob, Karen, Jimmy and Mike). In the midst of the farewell, a group again boarded another bus to head out on another safari. This one was AMAZING with elephants, zebra, giraffe etc. literally coming right up to the car. The best part was the lodge at the top o fthe mountain in the center of the game park where we ate lunch, gazed at the view and enjoyed hte company of three zebra who came right up to the ledge of the veranda.
Very early this AM, we said goodbye to another beloved team member, Carol from Brazil. But, we look forward to hearing more from her during the upcoming Clinic in Brazil in September!
The final group of us head back home to North America this afternoon. While everyone on the team is so very much looking forward to reuniting with our loved ones back home. We are so appreciative to OneSight, Luxottica and all those who supported us and made this possible. We can not leave the blog without a TREMENDOUS thanks to David Berumen, our Clinic manager. He is simply brilliant at his job - proceeding with a calm and gracious disposition that makes him a born leader. Our utmost thanks David, to a job so well done that kept us safe, motivated and passionate for the job we were put here to do.
All the best to everyone.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It's been amazing following your journey. May those who worked and those who were helped all be richly blessed through this experience. In God's bountiful peace, farewell.
ReplyDeleteMy sincere thanks for being afforded the opportunity to "walk" with you through this exciting and rewarding mission. One Sight and Luxottica have vision far beyond that of eyesight to be willing to go to those who are in such need and giving them the gift of sight. We are so blessed with such beautiful things in this world and affording others the opportunity to see and appreciate these blessings, whether children, reading, scenery, is definetly a gift.
ReplyDeleteThank you once again for giving us this opportunity to see the work being done.
My prayers for everyone to have a safe trip home.
God bless each and every one of you.