There, a dedicated team of 45 volunteers delivered essential healthcare and support to the community. During the mission, the team served over 1,000 patients, providing essential medical services including primary care and pharmacy consultations as well as distributing medications, vitamins, over-the-counter treatments, reading glasses, and distance glasses. Beyond medical care, they also provided clothing, toiletry kits, and flip-flops to families in need.
Daniela Kim
Swarthmore College 2023
Dajabón is located at the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and during our visit, political tensions between the two nations were heightened. Increased deportations of Haitian individuals and stricter border control underscored the vulnerability of the populations we served and highlighted the importance of providing support in such regions.
My primary responsibility on the mission was working at the vision station. For near-vision assessments, we used a paper exam with progressively smaller lines of text; each corresponding to a specific prescription strength. Once we identified the smallest line a patient could read comfortably, we selected a matching prescription and offered various frame styles and colors, along with a protective case. Patients tried on their glasses to ensure proper fit and clarity before taking them home.
For distance-vision evaluations, we relied on the Global Vision 2020 kit, which includes adjustable test glasses with dials that shift between prescriptions. Each prescription is linked to a numbered, color-coded lens for both eyes. With patients seated about 13 feet from an eye chart, we determined the lens strength required for them to clearly read the seventh line from the top. After recording the appropriate numbers and colors, we assembled their final glasses using the frames of their choice.
Although many volunteers were from the United States, we also worked alongside community members from Dajabón. We shared stories, danced, played dominoes, and learned from each other’s cultures. These interactions emphasized that medicine extends far beyond familiar borders. Medicine connects people, fosters understanding, and strengthens our commitment to equitable, accessible care for underserved communities.
– Daniella Kim
