Day 1 of the Mission

The first 2 days of the mission are taking place in Jequintinhonha.  We walked 2 blocks up the street from the hotel to the Jequintinhonha Rotary Club building.  It is a lovely blue and yellow building they use for meetings.

Setting up the clinic took a little longer than expected because the poles that secure the phoropters (eyeglass checking things) to the wall pulled right out of the stucco.  We needed the local Rotarians to find appropriate anchors to hold the fairly heavy instruments in place.

Once we were rolling things moved smoothly.  We saw 184 patients in the eye clinic today including some people with significant spectacle needs  (able to see less than the big E) that had never had an eye examination.  I have learned how to say "one or two" in Portuguese!

In the afternoon thunderstorms rolled through, lasting for at least 4 hours with downpours so heavy that I could barely hear my patients over the roar of the rain.

My understanding is the dental mission team was a little slower as they are still trying to get the word out to the community about the dental services being offered.

We are in the same location tomorrow and should be able to see more patients since the clinic is already set up.   Pizza and beer tonight for dinner.  Cao!