Images of Kalinga

A collection of several hundred images, organized into sets, is available for viewing here.

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To those considering volunteering....

Before closing out this blog I’d like to add a few comments for those considering serving with Unite for Sight.

I appreciate UfS requiring volunteers to do a bit of reading about global health issues, about eye care, and about cross-culture encounters.  I found the most useful aspect of the training to be the visit to a local eye hospital.  Not only did I learn about eye health and the operation of an eye clinic, it was a great opportunity to meet local health providers and establish a relationship that may continue beyond my 10-day service at Kalinga Eye Hospital. 

I found the requirement to collect used glasses burdensome. This part of the program is obviously designed for US residents, who have to do little more than place an order for a box of used glasses with an organization such as the Lions or Rotary.  As there are no ongoing collection campaigns in Dubai, finding the required number of glasses here was going to be a huge undertaking.  Fortunately, UfS was flexible and allowed me to raise extra money in lieu.  Be sure to ask if you’re having similar difficulties.

The most problematic aspect of the UfS volunteer experience is the bit where they ask you for money up front in order to participate.  The effect is to establish a relationship of distrust. Perhaps UfS has implemented this policy to protect itself from wasting time on frivolous candidates.  UfS assures potential volunteers that it is easy to raise the minimum fees required for participation, and if this is so, then why not require fees to be raised before committing to the volunteer, rather than requiring a deposit?