Tadd Rhodes, a business system analyst with the University Cashier’s Office, recently embarked on a transformative journey to Lo de Diequez, Guatemala, accompanying his wife, Sarah, on a medical mission trip with Caring Partners International.
Caring Partners International sends volunteer health care teams to locations around the world to treat patients, train and teach local health care providers, and provide medical supplies. Sarah, who typically serves as the pharmacist on these trips, instead stepped into a different role when the team required an additional health care provider. Rising to the occasion, Sarah offered diagnostic care to the local population, and her adaptability and dedication helped to ensure that the community received the medical attention they desperately needed.
Tadd’s involvement was equally impactful. He worked in the eye care section, conducting eye tests with charts and utilizing a special machine to scan patients’ eyes to determine if they needed prescriptions. He then sorted through hundreds of donated eyeglasses to find matching prescriptions for each patient. This painstaking task ensured that many individuals left with improved vision, greatly enhancing their quality of life.
The trip was not without its challenges. The team worked in conditions without air conditioning, and a magnitude 4.7 earthquake, centered about 60 miles away, shook their rooms. A major roadway closure also complicated their travel.
The team’s efforts were met with overwhelming need and appreciation, and they saw 856 patients during their time in Lo de Diequez. Their work highlighted the significant difference that dedicated individuals can make in underserved communities. Through their efforts, Tadd and Sarah not only provided essential medical services but also brought hope and improved health to many lives. The experience also had a a profound impact on Tadd, who, despite the hurdles along the way, reflected, “If I had to do it over again, I would do it the same. I had a great life experience.”