Starting the week of November 17th, the sophomore class started to collect reading glasses. These glasses all went to math teacher Mrs. Blackford’s family church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Dallas.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has a program called the Honduras Mission Ministry, located in the city of Omoa, Honduras, which provides building materials for construction, Christian education, and clinics. Along with medical and dental treatment, this mission also provides a program that enables members of this impoverished community to take eye exams and pick up reading glasses if need be.
The 24/7 leadership group organizes this drive, which began four years ago and has since become an annual tradition. Not only does this program allow students to receive quality service hours, but it enables them to significantly help others that are in need around the world, which really illustrates our Jesuit motto, “Men for Others.”
Mr. David Williams, the sophomore counselor who is in charge of the 24/7 leadership organization, explained that “We would like to get at least one pair of eyeglasses from each sophomore because giving three hundred pairs would give their ministry a nice boost.” Last year, the Jesuit sophomores collected around 300 eyeglasses; each year, there is more and more participation from all of the students.
In this mission in Omoa, Honduras, the Pharmacy Team dispensed over 5,000 prescriptions for the needy over the last year, which really helps this community. Not only does this team prescribe eye glasses, but also other medications that the local citizens need. Mr. Williams recounted that “One lady, who was diabetic, cried tears of joy when she learned that she would receive a year’s worth of diabetes medicine. She said she pays $14 a month for her medicine and she only earns $4 per day,” illustrating that even the smallest donations can make a huge difference, especially in places like Honduras where they are in dire need of outside assistance.
The situation in Omoa is very similar to other regions in Honduras. The average family income is $250 a month, which makes life very difficult for most of the population. The population living under the poverty line is at an above average 53%, which really puts into perspective how much this drive benefits the Honduran community.
Heath Vankirk, a sophomore member of 24/7, said, “I joined 24/7 to become more actively involved in community service.” He also explained that “the eyeglasses drive was a great idea and a great opportunity to help the less fortunate” and continued to mention that this community service group really helps him enjoy community service because “it reminds me of how blessed and fortunate I am which allows me to love giving back to the less fortunate.”
This drive is a prime example that as Jesuit students, orchestrating service projects like collecting reading glasses, we can really make a difference in other communities around the world that need our help. Even though we don’t directly give the glasses to the needy, we can still know that we are positively impacting the lives of others and living out our school motto.
