Below is a list of the trips AMIGOS Eye Care has planned for the current Academic Year.
It is the goal of AMIGOS Eye Care to return to the same sites year after year, providing eye care and building relationships, until a self-sustaining presence can be established.
SENEGAL
Trip Information:
Dates: December 2018
Team Size: 8
Details:
In December, a team of 7 interns and one doctor will travel to Senegal to provide eye care to an underprivileged community in Saint-Louis. They will be working in the village of Rao and the city of Saint-Louis and aim to see 500 patients during four days of clinic around Christmas.
In addition to direct patient care, the team is focused on education and prevention of ocular conditions. They will be taking lens edging equipment to Senegal to launch a long term goal of making brand new spectacles for every patient who needs them. This will allow patients to get glasses that are made specifically for them from their prescription. With continuous trips to this community we aim to train students at the local vocational school to use the lab equipment and make glasses for their community for years to come.
CHINA
Trip Information:
Dates: December 2018
Team Size: 11
Details:
AMIGOS is very excited to be going to southern China later this year in December! Team China will be partnering with Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC), the #1 ranked eye hospital in China. Over 4.5 clinic days, they plan to see a wide range of patients from ages 0-99 in rural Zhongshan villages who have limited access to eye care services. They’ll be providing comprehensive vision care along with dilated fundus examinations. Another half of a day will be dedicated to education exchanges at ZOC, followed by fun days in Guangdong province and Hong Kong.
The team will consist of eight optometry students in second and third year as well as three attending optometrists: Dr. Susan Littlefield, Dr. Evelyn Lo and Dr. Shannon Feng. Additionally, they will be joined by two ZOC ophthalmologists: Dr. Zidong Chen and Dr. Xiang Chen.
COSTA RICA
Trip Information:
Dates: March 2019
Team Size: TBD
Details:
Team members have been chosen for this trip. More info will come later this year!
SENEGAL
Trip Information:
Dates: March 2019
Team Size: 9
Details:
Team Senegal will have 8 students and 1 attending doctor return to West Africa over the Spring Break period. They will be providing eye care in the city of Saint Louis and hope to extend their outreach to neighbouring rural villages. Their goal is to provide care to approximately 500 patients over 3.5 clinic days with a long-term goal of creating sustainable eye care within Senegal. By training local volunteers, providing educational resources, and bringing lens edging equipment, they aim to provide accessibility to those in need for years to come.
The team is excited to bring their knowledge and experience to the Senegalese community while creating greater opportunities for future optometry students and AMIGOS members.
BELIZE
Trip Information:
Dates: March 2019
Team Size: TBD
Details:
Team members have been chosen for this trip. More info will come later this year!
GUATEMALA
Trip Information:
Dates: August 2019
Team Size: TBD
Details:
Team members have not yet been decided. More info will come next year!
COSTA RICA
Trip Information:
Dates: August 2019
Team Size: TBD
Details:
Team members have not yet been decided. More info will come next year!
