Volunteer with Partners for Visual Health!

Partners for Visual Health (PVH) volunteers provide much-needed visual health care to the rural people of El Salvador. PVH works with our partner, ASAPROSAR, to provide eye surgeries, exams, and eyeglasses in Santa Ana, and eye exams and eyeglasses in San Miguel.

Participation in our campaigns is a very rewarding experience, whether you are a surgeon, working in the clinic or working in the dispensary to fit eyeglasses. While most agree that the work is fun, “work” is the key word. The hours are long and there is always plenty to do, from counting and sorting eyeglasses to dealing with any number of details which may arise along the way. While there is always a small amount of time set aside for relaxation, sightseeing and shopping, the purpose of the trip is to carry out a successful campaign, treating as many people as we possibly can during the time that we have. Notwithstanding a day or so of relaxation at the end of the campaign, it needs to be clearly understood that this is not a vacation. Everyone is expected to do a job, full-time.

It is very easy to make a difference in this part of the world. People often lack even the most basic resources and appreciate the clinics and the care they receive from the “Norteamericanos” immensely. In fact, people often walk from many miles away for many hours to wait in line to receive an eye exam and, usually, eyeglasses, the chance to see one of the other doctors, obtain medications, etc. A very high percentage of volunteers that have participated in the trip frequently decide to return year after year.