My Experience Volunteering at the Veroda Eye Camp

By Chloe Fernandes, a student at Chowgule College, Goa

Together with National Social Service volunteers from my College I was privileged to attend one of the seven eye camps held in Veroda, Goa on September 21, 2014. The eye camp was sponsored by Fr. Domingous S. Jacques, who just turned 96 this year. He is from Veroda and now lives in Fremont, California. It has always been his desire and dream to give back to the village he came from.

The eye camp was a real success. We began with a small inauguration and the lighting of the lamp at around 10 am, though registration began at 9.30 am. We recorded a footprint of 185 people that day. We asked whoever came in early to call their neighbors as well when they were done, and they did so. It was amazing so see how far a small thought could go. I am so glad to be a part of this initiative as this time the camp was held in a village and I could see how much the people needed this.