A Bright Sunshiny Day!

I have hated oatmeal my entire life. I remember one time I sat crying at the dining room table because my mom made me oatmeal for breakfast, and I just couldn’t stand it. I’ve attempted to eat oatmeal as I’ve grown older once I learned of its health benefits, but it just hasn’t worked for me. So when I realized that we would be having oatmeal for breakfast everyday at the hotel, I kind of panicked. I knew how important eating breakfast would be since we weren’t always sure if we would have lunch; but I couldn’t imagine stomaching oatmeal for breakfast everyday for the next two months. The first two days were not so pleasant, but after being here for almost a week, I can say that I am almost enjoying the oatmeal we have for breakfast. Isn’t it strange how quickly we can learn to adapt to new environments and situations almost as if it’s our normal way of living? There are many things that we think we can’t live with or without; but when placed in a situation where that thing does or does not exist, you really begin to understand what you need, what you can tolerate, and what you can grow to actually like. I’m living in a place where my shower has less water coming out of it than the water from American sinks, where it is more likely that there will not be toilet paper in the “bathroom” of our various outreach locations, where paved roads are a luxury to drive upon, and where running water and electricity are not always 100% guaranteed. If you had told me I would be living in these conditions a few months ago, I can assure you that I would either have decided not to come or would have arrived the most paranoid and scared American tourist you’ve ever seen. But as I grow and learn about this country and myself, I am proud to say that these humble living conditions and the lack of modern conveniences don’t scare me anymore….well, at least not as much as before.

Today was another day at an outreach clinic. We traveled about 2 hours to the Volta Region of Accra and saw about 60 patients there. Today was also the first day that I began to collect data for the research project I am completing with another volunteer. We are interviewing cataract surgery referrals with the goal of discovering some way UFS can provide better services so that more female patients have the opportunity to receive cataract surgery. It was great to talk with the locals and learn more about the lives of people here. Hopefully, we will find some ways that UFS can improve its already great service to the local community.

The fellowship and growing friendship among us volunteers grows daily. It’s amazing how quickly we all became friends, supporters, and almost guardians of each other. We look out for one another as we walk through the busy streets of Accra, and we always help each other at the outreach clinics. And we have lots of fun, too! This is definitely one of the funniest groups of people I’ve ever spent this much time with! Unite for Sight is an angel to the men and women of Ghana, and it is a family to the volunteers, staff, and doctors who all give their time to improve the lives of others. I can’t help but smile when I think of all the fun I’m having and how fondly I know I’m going to look back on this experience. It just makes me feel all warm and snuggly inside! :)