Cuernavaca Eyesight Campaign: October 23 - November 2, 2024
Myrna Ann Adkins, Susy Osorio-Kinsky and I spent ten days in Cuernavaca on our most recent Eyesight Campaign, a collaboration including:
• the Denver Lions Club,
• Denver Sister Cities International (DSCI)-Cuernavaca Committee,
• the Ayuntamiento de Cuernavaca through its Secretary of Tourism, and
• Mexico City’s Claveria and Cuernavaca’s Forza Lions Club from District B6
It was unique in several ways, as you’ll see below, but for Susy and me perhaps notably because it came only 2 months after the campaign for the Policia Nacional in Ecuador.
Results
Gender
Female Participants: 360
Male Participants: 174
Total: 534
Average Age
56
Types of Glasses Distributed
Multivision: 185
Single Vision: 144
Readers: 196
Total: 525
Sunglasses: 500
Note: Some participants received two pairs based on needs and availability. Additionally, some participants did not require glasses after screening. It was not advertised for children 12 years of age or younger.
Location and Equipment
The campaign was conducted outdoors at the Secretary of Tourism’s offices. We used our own portable auto refractor and two phoropters.
Logistics
It’s noteworthy that we couldn’t comfortably transport the eyeglasses in our usual fashion, i.e., as checked-in luggage on our flight there, as we did last year because of a connection between the Secretary of Tourism and a high-level customs official. Instead, this year we shipped glasses via UPS to Laredo, TX, and the Mexico City Clavería Lions Club transported them across the border to Laredo, Mexico, and then later onward to Cuernavaca.
Volunteer Support
• Lions Clubs: As mentioned, key support came from the Mexico City Clavería and Cuernavaca Forza Lions Clubs in District B6, led by Past District Governor Francisco Gomez and Javier Rodas, respectively.
• Optometrists: Claveria, Forza and Tourism all helped to secure the 3 volunteer optometrists during the 3 days.
• Medical Students: From the Universidad del Valle de Cuernavaca-UNIVAC , local medical students brought indomitable energy that was vital in completing the final step of the Eyesight Campaign—distributing the right pair of glasses to each patient.
• DSCI & Cuernavaca Committee: We stayed at the home of Fernando Pineda- Reyes, a Denver resident and member of the Cuernavaca Sister Cities Committee and also the Board of Denver Sister Cities International
Cultural Experiences
• Denver Park: On the weekend before the campaign itself, we visited Denver Park in Cuernavaca, a beautiful recreational area, where we planted trees and watched soccer, basketball, and volleyball tournament games.
• Día de los Muertos: We participated in Día de los Muertos events, including puppet competitions, exhibits replete with cempasúchil (marigold) flower displays, a music festival and a town parade.
Reflection and Future Plans
The campaign achieved its goals and provided a meaningful cultural exchange. Community support and partnerships were valuable assets, and plans are underway to organize a similar campaign next year at around the same time.