Phelophepa: Train of Hope
Donation protected
Hello everyone!
I am currently raising money to assist me in funding my trip to South Africa this summer (2017) where I will be volunteering on the Phelophepa health train, otherwise known as the 'Train of Hope.'
On the train I will be carrying out approximately 15 eye examinations a day, while also providing medical eyecare advice and dispensing glasses for two weeks - with the assistance of a fully qualified optometrist.
There are two trains, with each train consisting of 6 departments. A health clinic, a pharmacy clinic, an educational clinic, a dental clinic, a psychology clinic and of course what I will be in - the eye clinic !!
The trains travel through poorer rural areas of the country for nine months of the year - while the rest of the year is required for train maintanence. It stops at small towns and villages where it is difficult for people to seek professional medical care when necessary. People from the surrounding areas also come to the train via any means of travel, from walking to cycling to hitching lifts where they can - and are willing to wait several days by camping outside in order to be seen.
Sadly, many of the patients who I will see may never have had the opportunity to get their eyes tested before, so could be unable to do basic tasks due to not having their prescription corrected with glasses.
A lot also do not have the money to buy basic necessities such as glasses and eye drops, so my aim is to raise as much money possible to donate to the Eye Clinic, as well as helping towards my travel costs.
I am so excited to be able to be part of what will be an amazing experience, as well as actually making an impact on peoples lives by essentially giving people sight!
The estimated cost of the project is around £1000 per student, but i will be giving all excess money outside of my £600 target towards the charity itself - and I would love to raise as much money as possible to donate to them!
Any donations at all would be hugely appreciated!!
Thank you all, Heather xxx
More information about the train can be found in the video and at the link below for anyone who wants to find out a bit more information (or you can message me!)
www.trainofhope.org
I am currently raising money to assist me in funding my trip to South Africa this summer (2017) where I will be volunteering on the Phelophepa health train, otherwise known as the 'Train of Hope.'
On the train I will be carrying out approximately 15 eye examinations a day, while also providing medical eyecare advice and dispensing glasses for two weeks - with the assistance of a fully qualified optometrist.
There are two trains, with each train consisting of 6 departments. A health clinic, a pharmacy clinic, an educational clinic, a dental clinic, a psychology clinic and of course what I will be in - the eye clinic !!
The trains travel through poorer rural areas of the country for nine months of the year - while the rest of the year is required for train maintanence. It stops at small towns and villages where it is difficult for people to seek professional medical care when necessary. People from the surrounding areas also come to the train via any means of travel, from walking to cycling to hitching lifts where they can - and are willing to wait several days by camping outside in order to be seen.
Sadly, many of the patients who I will see may never have had the opportunity to get their eyes tested before, so could be unable to do basic tasks due to not having their prescription corrected with glasses.
A lot also do not have the money to buy basic necessities such as glasses and eye drops, so my aim is to raise as much money possible to donate to the Eye Clinic, as well as helping towards my travel costs.
I am so excited to be able to be part of what will be an amazing experience, as well as actually making an impact on peoples lives by essentially giving people sight!
The estimated cost of the project is around £1000 per student, but i will be giving all excess money outside of my £600 target towards the charity itself - and I would love to raise as much money as possible to donate to them!
Any donations at all would be hugely appreciated!!
Thank you all, Heather xxx
More information about the train can be found in the video and at the link below for anyone who wants to find out a bit more information (or you can message me!)
www.trainofhope.org
Organizer
Heather Cunningham
Organizer
