On Saturday, February 18^th, 2006; Friends Across the Border (FAB) departed Los Angeles on its first leg of a trip to Ghana, Africa.  Leaving LAX on KLM Airlines, we landed 10.5 hours later in Amsterdam, Holland.  After a 5-hour lay over we departed on KLM airlines for our 6.5-hour flight to Accra, Ghana. 

To meet us at the airport was Mission Africa and several members of the local lions clubs in the Accra area.   After clearing immigration, we boarded the Mission Africa minibus and departed for our hotel for the evening in Nsawam.  After a short rest at Han’s Hotel, we left for our first vision-screening clinic at the Nsawam Hospital in Nsawam, Africa.  The clinic started at 9:00 am and took a 45-minute break for an opening ceremony to celebrate the joint effort of all involved.  The clinic finished at 6:30 pm and had the support of local Lions and eye care professionals in the area.  On a minimum basis 323 people were screened for the day.  Approximately 15% of the patients seen, needed referral for medical and or surgical treatment of eye disease.  After boarding the bus, we departed for the Afrikiko Resort in Akosombo for our night of lodging.  We had a late meal at 10:30 pm on the patio deck of the resort overlooking the Volta River/Lake complex.  Off to sleep by midnight and ready for a wake up call by 6:00 am.

The second clinic was held at the Atuah Hospital in Odumasi Krobo.  It started at 9:00am and finished at 5:00pm with at least 235 people seen for the day.  40 people had a prescription from the clinic but were not able to get glasses that day secondary to time constraints with the clinic.  Those 40 individuals were to meet us at the next day’s clinic and get their prescriptions filled first thing, which they did.  Of the 235, approximately 15% needed referral for medical and or surgical treatment of eye disease.  After the clinic we boarded the Mission Africa bus and headed back to the Afrikiko Resort for some cold beers and a night of sleep.  By this time the FAB group prefers “Club” beer over “Starr” beer, but will drink either as long as its cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  As usual, we had our 6:00 am wake up call and were off to set up for the next clinic.

The third clinic was held at the Volta River Authority Hospital in Akosombo.  We started the clinic at 9:00am and finished at 4:00pm.  At least 150 people were seen at the clinic with approximately 15% needing treatment for eye disease.  After the clinic we headed to the favorite resort of the Honorable Emmanuel W. Ntow Bediako, the chief executive of the Asuogyaman District Assembly, in Akosombo.  We had a nice social evening with the Honorable Bediako and those participating in the clinic.  As a token of appreciation the Honorable Bediako, covered our evening meal and drinks.  At the close of dinner we departed back to the Afrikiko Resort for a few more beers and relaxation.

The fifth and final clinic was held at the Keta General Hospital in Keta.  The clinic started at 9:00 am and finished at 2:00pm.  At least 109 people were seen at the clinic with approximately 15% of the patients needing medical and or surgical treatment for eye disease.  By 3:00pm, we were on the bus heading to Accra for our next night of lodging.  We were about 30 minutes outside to Accra when the bus broke down on the freeway.  Mission Africa made the appropriate arrangements and we were checking into the Monarch Hotel in Accra by 7:30pm.

After 5 days of clinics in 5 different cities, we had a nice evening meal, a few beers and headed to bed for a nice long sleep and no early wake up call.   The next day we toured areas of Accra and did some shopping in the area.  Additionally, we attended the Accra Golden Lions Club installation Dinner Dance and Fund Raising event in Accra that evening.  By midnight we were back at the Monarch Hotel and turned in for the night.

On Sunday some member of FAB attended the church of Mission Africa Founder, Dr. Kodjoe Summney.  After services, FAB departed for the formal donation of the equipment and glasses to the Ghana Lions.  This ceremony took place in Tema, where the local lions are helping to support the building and furbishing of the Tema Eye Clinic.  After the close of this ceremony, we departed to a local hotel for the formal twinning ceremony between the Accra Primer Lions Club and the Calimesa Breakfast Lions Club.  After the ceremony, we departed for the airport to catch our KLM flight to Amerstdam.  After a 5-hour lay over, we boarded KLM for our flight back to Los Angeles.  We arrived in LA at 2:10 pm local time on February 27^th, 2006.  Most of us made it home by 9:30 pm and felt the trip was well worth the expense and effort.

The main purpose of FAB’s trip to Africa is to teach the local Lions how FAB does its vision screening clinics in the states and Mexico.  FAB took approximately 6,000 pairs of recycled eyeglasses, some hand held examination equipment, dispensing tools and a Topcon 3000 Auto-refractor/Keratometer.  All of these items were donated to the Lions of Ghana to use in their vision screening clinics.  The major item from an examination standpoint was the Topcon 3000 unit that was donated by Dr. Brian Higa of Hemet.  The Lions of Ghana and FAB cannot thank Dr. Higa enough for what this piece of equipment means to this program and the people it will ultimately serve.  All of the equipment that was donated is essentially useless without the recycled eyeglasses to make the program a success.  In discussing area incomes, the average day laborer earns approximately $1.60 per day.  A new standard bifocal pair of lenses and frame would cost roughly $85.00.  As such the recycled eyeglasses are worth their weight in gold.

The majority of pathological cases encountered in the clinics centered on cataracts and glaucoma.  Both of these conditions are treatable only if the person has access to care and the financial resources to obtain them.  Sadly, it became very apparent that there is a great void that is not being adequately addressed for many in Ghana.  Campaign Sight First and Campaign Sight II became very real and personal for all of us on the trip.

FAB has made a commitment to assist the Ghana Lions in helping to address these needs as much as we can.  A relationship has begun and the true spirit of Lionism is alive and well.

Those participating in the clinics from the USA:  Don Ranney, Pat Ranney, Carl Decker, Juanita Allgower, Dottie Allen, Ron Meader, June Decker, Pati Van Dusen, Kim Malone, Marnie Navarro, Alea Avila and Brian Van Dusen.