Ghana MTC: The Six Thousand

Missionaries and humanitarians Doing Wonderful Things

Elder and Sister Barry Wade from Arizona are serving in Ghana on a Perpetual Education and Self-reliance senior couple mission. A couple of weeks ago, they met Dr. and Sister Ronald Pugh from Utah, who had come to Ghana at our encouragement to distribute 6000 pairs of glasses. Missionaries from throughout Utah carried a suitcase of glasses that had been collected by dozens of caring people, including a couple of young men who used the service as their Eagle Scout Project. One of them actually was called to Ghana and brought the glasses with him as part of his luggage.

These two, the Pughs made it all possible.

In the words of Elder and Sister Wade, here is a description of the project:

"We had the opportunity to assist with the set up and functioning of a humanitarian project recently. Three optometrists from Utah came to give vision screenings for three days, two half days and two full days. This functioned because of many hands and many hours. There were hours of preparation and set up before the actual start and many hours of coordination during and after.

From Monday noon until Thursday noon approximately 1300 people were seen by a doctor and about 1000 pairs of glasses were distributed. People were showing up on the Temple grounds as early as four in the morning in hopes of getting a chance to see the doctors. Unfortunately almost the same number of people had to be turned away as those that got a spot. Those that did finally get to see the doctors had to have the patience of Job as they waited. There were just not enough hours. These doctors have been to other places in the world and said that this was the first time they have ever had to turn people away. Approximately 6000 pairs of glasses were sent to Ghana through missionaries and travelers coming here. They had been collected through Eagle projects and other such activities.

It was estimated that the full time missionaries gave about 525 hours of service, senior missionaries 370 hours, other volunteers about 60 hours for a total of about 955 hours. After the initial 1000 pairs of glasses that were distributed, 500 were given to other West African missions and the rest were donated to a group here in Ghana called Unite for Sight. They have clinics that meet on various days on a rotating basis all over Ghana. It is to their clinic that we have been going with one of our members for the last six months. They were so excited to receive those glasses and we know that they will be put to good use."

A big shout out to Elder Crisp who along with the help of others made all the boxes

The glasses were carefully sorted by "power" and by "gender"

Early morning registration with Sister Terry, Elder Smith and Sister Baker

Upstairs to wait in the chapel.

Trotros (Ghana's form of transportation) arrived bringing many people hoping to see the doctors.

Elder Wade talking to President Azuma.

The Wade's blind friend Wakiki (left in the white shirt).

We call this "organized chaos"

Beautiful days with the Temple always in the background.

This lovely little Sister was our St. Peter at the gate.

School will be more fun with glasses to help.(Sister Pugh is the principal organizer of each of these humanitarian trips throughout the world. She and her husband love doing this.)

To help pass the time these four Elders sang.

People of patience once they were in the chapel.

There was a bit of a wait.

Dr. Pugh can check the eyes with amazing accuracy


Sister Cook fits the glasses

I can see!

I am so very much grateful!

Dozens of Missionaries helped

Little one. This was way too long.

Seated here are the principle organizers and workers. Included are the doctors from Utah and their wives and Sister Kirkham (blue blouse) who was the key person in charge of the project in Ghana.