HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-10-14, Page 13ts1. tHuron Center
The Huron Expositor • October 14, 2009 Pegs 13
r collecting
eyeglasses to bring to Guatemala
Dan Schwab
Huron Centennial Public School.
Grade 5 teacher ' Lorrie Goos is
collecting eyeglasses to bring to
Guatemala in November when she
visits with a local ocular health
team.
Mitchell = optometrist Dr. John
Hohner asked Goos after she had
eye surgery last year if she wanted
to join a group of eye doctors, and
health professionals for the trip to
Jutiapa City from Nov. 12-22.
"We had just struck up a conver-
sationand he had remembered
that I was interested in the hu-
manitarian services and asked
me in August if I would join his
team," Goos says.
After arriving in Jutiapa, Goos
and the group will head to a small-
er rural community to do some eye
testing and offer residents the col-
lected glasses.
The group is affiliated with
VOSH International, a worldwide
volunteer agency for optometric
services to humanity.
"Glasses are desperately needed
in Guatemala," Goos says. "Small
children's glasses are in huge de-
mand. Lots of very poor, needy
people require cataract surgery
too."
Cataract surgerywill be per-
formed on some of the blind, Goos
says, adding that her class has
been trying to raise money to help
pay for the .surgeries. Each sur-
gery costs $125.
So far, her class has collected
about 60 pairs of glasses and
raised $28.,50 through a candy jar
guessing game, where students
pay a quarter to guess how many
candies are in a large jar, with the
one who comes nearest to the ac-
tual number winning the jar.
During her time there, Goos will
help . teat patients' visual acuity.
She says she may also work in the
dispensary, helping the optome-
trist to find the required prescrip.
tion for each patient.
Before she leaves,. Goos is mo-
tivating her students to become
interested in the trip in various
ways..
Each month, the school staff
designates a character trait for
students to focus on. This month,
the focus is on "empathy."
"My class is studying ways to
cultivate this virtue through a
unit called Put Yourself in Some-
one Else's Shoes." It ss designed to
helpchildren grasp the meaning
Teacher Lorrie Goos, shown here In the back row with her class• of Grade 5 students at Huron Centennial Public School,
Is planning to take a trip to Guatemala next month to supply needy people there with prescription glasses.
of empathy. and the importance
of trying to imagine how some-
one else feels," Goos says. "It's to
put their minds into that perspec-
tive."
Goos says she also showed the
class photos from Hohner's trip
to Guatemala in 2007, which also
drew a positive response from the
students.
"The kids can so easily relate
things to themselves, especially
when it's something that's impor-
tant to them," Goos says.
The students have been ask-
ing their parents and other fam-
ily members for their old glasses
and so far, lenses and frames in a
variety of styles and prescriptions
have been collected, including an
antique pair of spectacles with
the inscription "M. Ross Savauge,
Optometrist."
Goos says the students are re-
searching the origins of the an-
tique spectacles.
Anyone interested in donatin
their old prescription glasses to
the trip can bring them to Huron
Centennial Public School, R.R.#1
Brucefiald. Monetary donations
will also be accepted.
Homss with
Asphalt ShIngl.
is Nsed of Replacement
Orrterl• Simko W The, Owlarl.'s most trusted metal roofing
specialist is looking for homes In your area that need a new roof and mar
wilitlilro ac�ip, .
We offer the beauty and elegance of a natural wood shake roof with the
durability and unmatched performance of metal. It comes with a SO year,
transferable Warranty against: wind, rain, snow, moss, hall and tree resin.
This beautiful roof is being Introduced to your local market now.
11 you partidpats in ourrWsplay Home Program, we will reduce Our already
competitive pricing and make It worth your while to Investigate the
many benefits of our roof. You must book your fob within 10 days of this
adverdsement.
Low payment, 100% finandng available, O.A.C.
ONTARI
SHAKE N' L
Call NM for
ME Savings!
1N$171-71 19