This November, Rayjon gave me the opportunity to participate in their eyeglass clinic.  Every year, the Rayjon Eyeglass Team organizes and carries out two clinics, distributing eyeglasses donated at locations across Ontario.  This year, the November clinic team travelled to Guatemala to offer a five-day clinic in the town of Rabinal.  The trip was an experience of a lifetime for me as I prepare to study international relations in university.  It gave me so much insight into the lives and challenges of the Guatemalan people, while also allowing me offer some of my abilities to the eyeglass team.  I know that what I experienced in Rabinal is something that will remain with me for the rest of my life.  I would like to share just a few of the special moments that I experienced during the clinic.

First I should begin with providing a bit of background information about Rabinal. Rabinal is one of Guatemala’s poorest cities. It is very isolated, six hours by road, through the beautiful Guatemalan mountains. Indigenous peoples make up about 5% of the world’s population, but at least one-third of the world’s poor. More than half of Guatemala’s population is indigenous and these people are definitely among the most disadvantaged in Latin America. Through observation, we could see that the government of Guatemala has, for many years, ignored the plight of Rabinal’s Achí Mayan population. These people suffered from malnutrition, unemployment, and many other issues, not to mention the after-effects of the “Silent Genocide,” in which thousands of Guatemalan Mayans were murdered in the 1980s. Rabinal was the site of two of the bloodiest massacres of this genocide and continues to feel its effects with many struggling widows and orphans in its population. What touched me most about the people of Rabinal was their great determination and perseverance. The Achí people of Rabinal have been subjected to unimaginable horrors and injustices, yet they continue to smile, to laugh, and to hope for better days in the future. We were fortunate enough to be in Rabinal for the very important “Día de los muertos” or “All Souls Day.” We visited the city’s cemetery and genocide memorial, both of which were decorated with colourful flowers, candles, and food. The people of Rabinal were celebrating the lives of their loved ones. The atmosphere was one of hope and of determination to create a better life for their next generation. Seeing this beautiful tradition definitely left me with a sense of hope.

During the clinic, I again saw so much hope and happiness while working with the patients. I had the absolute honour of helping to translate in the fitting section of the clinic. It was so rewarding to see each of the unique patients receive their eyeglasses. The reactions of the patients were always so positive. For many, the world of sight was being opened up for them for the first time in their lives. What better gift is there than the gift of sight? I was especially moved when I saw students who have never been able to see the blackboard receive their pairs of glasses. As a student, I know how important having glasses is for studying and that education is so important for this community to rise out of poverty.

For me, it was also such a pleasure to converse with each of my patients, to learn a bit about their lives. The people of Rabinal truly were fantastic. I will remember each smile, each hug, and each kiss I received and I hope that the eye care that our team was able to offer them will help them in working towards their many goals!

Celine McGarvey
Rayjon Youth Member

I have been involved with Rayjon since birth. My mom and dad (Peggy & Ed Daly) travelled to Haiti with Rayjon in January 1987 and I was born in September 1987.  Since my mother was determined to go she didn’t tell any trip leaders she was pregnant until she was in Haiti! (Thanks mom!)

My parents then became involved with the fall fair running the toy table.  My siblings and I would help sort through the toys when they were delivered to our home and on the day of the event we would assist in setting up and selling the toys.

During the years of my family being involved with Rayjon, my sister (Becky Daly) had the experience of travelling to the DR with Rayjon in her grade 12 year.  Then I was fortunate enough to travel to Haiti in March 2006.

I grew up seeing the pictures, hearing the stories, and knowing about Rayjon, but nothing is truly like going to Haiti and experiencing the trip yourself.  I went with a very small group of people, who I still keep in contact with to this day.

After I came back from Haiti I looked at things from a different perspective and the experience of going to Haiti changed my life.

Since getting back in 2006 I wanted to get more involved.  I volunteered for different Rayjon events such as the 20^th Anniversary and Red Bud 2008.  I still wanted to do more, but I did not know how!  Then in May 2009 a group of 20 or so people gathered in a tiny room to discuss a role within Rayjon for the youth.  This brought me back to Rayjon and I have been connected with different committees ever since; including, the Youth Committee, Starvathon and the Board.

I can’t wait to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of this amazing organization, and more importantly, to be around for many more anniversaries to come.  This organization has helped me in many ways!  Such as, finding myself, building confidence to stand up for what I believe in and having wonderful friends from this organization who have the same passion as I do for Haiti. With that, I thank you, Rayjon, for this wonderful journey I have had with you

And thank you for reading the first blog I have ever written!

Mary Daly

This March I went on a Rayjon monitoring trip to the Haute de St. Marc area of Haiti along with 5 others.  With my physiotherapy background I was to assess how the physical rehabilitation needs of those injured in the earthquake were being met in this area, and whether there was a need for Rayjon to assist in skill development for physiotherapy in this area.  Dianne McKillican, a local nurse accompanied me to various facilities and helped to translate as my Creole is very basic.

The first facility we visited had three American physios  arrive just a day or two before our arrival.  Word spreads quickly in Haiti and the same morning this facility received a call from a local orphanage that was housing 7-8 adults who had been injured in the quake.  Dianne and I did a whirlwind trip there to show an American Physician’s Assistant some exercises to work on with each individual.

The most rewarding part of the trip was at St. Nicholas Hospital in St. Marc where there were about 15 inpatients still requiring significant care, many still with external hardware to help heal their fractures despite it being 2½ months after the quake.  There was already a physiotherapy staff person there who provided a quick tour, introductions to the patients, what they needed etc. and then Dianne and I went to work along with Monique, a Haitian nursing student, and Lucifee, a health agent who were each there to learn.  Each patient had their own horrifying story to tell, and incredibly, most of them had an amazing drive to help themselves.  The incredible drive to persevere, and the strong spirituality that some patients demonstrated as their means of strength was inspiring.  I still get goosebumps from the time we helped to stand a 60 year old lady with her pelvis fractured in three places.  In order to pass a few minutes I asked if she could sing.  This resulted in her singing a beautiful hymn followed by spontaneous prayer, followed by talking directly to Monique who was herself going through post-traumatic stress disorder from her quake-related experience.  This was truly one of the most tremendous therapy experiences for everyone present!  This was the experience with the greatest personal impact, however it was only one of many.

In summary, it was clear that the physical rehab needs of those in hospital in St. Marc were being tended to, but equally clear was the fact that those patients in St. Nicholas were extremely grateful that Dianne and I were there to work with them for three days.

Mary Weerdenburg

Volunteer Appreciation Week is a special opportunity to show gratitude towards our amazing volunteers!

As far as I am concerned, they should be appreciated every day of the year!  It is amazing how an organization can run strictly on the hard work, love and passion of a group of people who care about something and who believe in a cause so strongly.

I have been involved with Rayjon since October 2008.  I’m just a baby in the organization to those who have been involved 20 plus years, or those who were there for the beginning stages 24 years ago.  It’s amazing, time flies when you’re having fun!

I thought I knew Rayjon pretty well, or at least had somewhat of a grasp on it.  However, after January’s earthquake hit Haiti, the response from our volunteers was incredible!  Many people worked around the clock to do whatever we needed done to provide support to our Haitian partners, and to open up the doors to our local community to contribute as well.  Donations, pick ups, tax receipts, thank yous, fundraisers, media communication, updates, emails, phone calls… it was full on and we could not have provided the support that we and are still supporting without the dedication and love of our volunteers.

Thank you to those who put their heart and soul into work that goes far beyond what we can even imainge.  Every step of the way makes a huge difference and each step is part of a journey of change!

They say someone who thinks positively will look at a glass with water to half and say it is half full.  Someone who thinks negatively will look at it to say it is half empty.  Someone who demonstrates caring and compassion will pick up the glass and look for someone who is thirsty.

The volunteers in Rayjon, pass the glass to those who are thirsty, and for that, we are thankful.

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week!

Laura Persichetti
Outreach Coordinator