For the last 10 years or so The Hope Alliance in conjunction with the Lions Club have come to Piura to distribute eye glasses to those in need. We provide missionaries to help translate for the volunteers that come. The driving force behind this project is the Criddle family. They are from Logan, Utah and volunteer their time and efforts in helping people receive glasses. The majority of the glasses are donated, used glasses collected by the Lions Clubs throughout Utah and neighboring states. The Criddles collect the glasses and throughout the year catalog and store the glasses at their home. They are retired volunteers and they recruit friends to come at their own expense and spend two weeks traveling throughout northern Peru helping people. Of the 10 or so people that come, only one is an "oftamologico" and the rest just do the best they can to match up a person with a pair of glasses that will help their vision. They come with literally hundreds of pairs of glasses organized in suitcases. I was very impressed! Each day they set up shop in a different city and thru word of mouth people line up and wait their turn to be helped. The missionaries translate for the volunteers and help the people feel comfortable. It was fun to see it all and its good to know that your donated, old glasses really do go to a good cause.
This particular day, everything was set up in an outdoor gym.
Since we were outdoors it was a little bright, we had to use sheets to shade some of the diagnostic machines. Everyone waited in line for their turn
All of the glasses, organized by prescription strength in suitcases.
One of the volunteers from Utah, Elder Carrion, Chad and Elder Chacon. They were in charge of finding the correct suitcase with the correct glasses.
Elder Pinegar
Elder Smith
Elder Trudo
Me and Sister Criddle
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