Hello,
I write to you Optiboard members on behalf of Dr. Nancy Herbster, OD. She has made it her life’s mission to improve the eye care of the people living in the DR Congo. In 2002 a volcano destroyed her facilities near Goma and she is now in the process of rebuilding. She used AIT Pattern edging equipment because it was very reliable for her remote mission. As a result of her facilities being destroyed she is in dire need of new equipment. As a tribute to her noble endeavor we have volunteered to help by participating in this charity drive. Those of you who are willing to donate used AIT pattern edgers you can schedule a pickup/drop off locally in Chicago or ship to us directly. Also if you have broken AIT equipment you would like to donate we will happily repair it free of charge. We can arrange to get a tax-deductible donation letter for any equipment donated. Below I have quoted a short message Dr. Herbster would like to pass along to you explaining her mission.
“I have been in the DR Congo, Africa for almost 23 years. I went originally to work in a mission clinic that was established by an optician in the northeast. After my 3 years there, the Lord led me to move to Goma which at that time had a population of 150,000, with no eye care available. Since then Goma has grown to about 500,000 and there are now 2 ophthalmologists who are, also, working there. We have also opened clinics in Bukavu to the South and Bunia to the North. We lost our buildings in Goma to the volcano in 2002. We had to rent for several years until we were able to start building again.
What my 23 years Congo have shown me, is that while we are helping many with their visual problems, the country is so big, we need more eye care practitioners. We have set up clinics in 3 major towns and are able to reach out to some in the areas around them. But there are many major towns in the Congo which still have no eye care available. That is why we are trying to start a school for training of opticians, refractionists, and optometrists in DR Congo. We have the authorization needed. We have purchased ground and are in the process of building. We hope to build a school that includes class rooms, library, a clinic with 5 refraction lanes, and labs for surfacing and edging. We are working on getting some Congolese trained to be professors. And I am now in the states trying to get the supplies and equipment needed to get started. We will send it over by container as soon as we receive what is required.”
Any help you are willing to give would be greatly appreciated, I have included below several pictures of her old building before and after it was destroyed by the volcano. You may contact us via phone at 1-800-729-1959 or via email at helpnancy@aitindustries.com if you wish to donate.
Before the Volcano:
After the Volcano hit
Sincerely,
Matthew Vulich
Vice-President of Marketing
AIT Industries
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