VOSH is a non-governmental, non-sectarian, non-profit organization made up of optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians, and other persons who have donated their time, talent, and money to help those in need to by building self-supporting eye clinics in the countries they serve. The VOSH mission is to empower local eye care specialists in developing countries by building sustainable eye clinics, funding essential ophthalmic infrastructure, and establishing partnerships with like-minded organizations.
VOSH recognizes the importance of sustainability, and has helped establish permanent eye clinics in Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti, Mexico and Peru. The three eye clinics in Guatemala include:
- Visualiza, Guatemala City
- Vincent Pescatore Eye Clinic, San Benito, El Petén
- St. John the Baptist Hospital, Jutiapa
The three clinics are staffed by 80 Guatemalans, including 6 ophthalmologists and 2 optometrists, treat in excess of 50,000 patients, and are self-supporting for operating expenses for adult care. VOSH funds the treatment of all indigent children under the age of 14 years old. The clinics are funding the training of 4 employees to become optometrists.
VOSH mission trips provide short term optical and medical eye support as a means to strengthen new eye clinics that are in the early stages of development. The next trip will be to Ixcan on June 12-22.
For more information about VOSH, please visit their website.
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