To: Colleagues in Lionism and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers: Dear colleagues in service: During a visit to the city of Joao Pessoa, Brazil last summer, I had the pleasure of getting to know Sr. Gilvan de Almeida Burity, past multi-state District Lions Club Governor (District LA-5, 2002-03). For several years, Mr. Burity has been devoting time and energy to the effort of transforming a beautiful dream into reality. As a contribution to the International Lions Club Foundation Sight First campaign, he has decided to build a "Hospital the Olhos" (Eye Hospital) in Joao Pessoa, capital of the State of Paraiba, one of the most economically-depressed regions of the world. Joao Pessoa is a city of approximately 700,000 persons, many of whom are either unemployed or marginally employed. An estimated 40 percent of the workers earn at or near the government-mandated $83 per month minimum wage. Understandably, many citizens are unable to access routine and specialized medical care, despite the fact that there is a nation-wide system of socialized medicine. Surveys by medical students produced results that leave no doubt that there exists a need for eye care services for the poor. In September of 1999, Sr. Burity established the Eye Bank Foundation of Joao Pessoa, as a private, non-profit corporation, to promote the construction of an Eye Hospital and to receive cash and in-kind contributions toward the construction, administration and maintenance of that facility. In December of 2000, the Foundation received government approval, to proceed with construction. The city of João Pessoa donated land and the Foundation started construction in 2001. The completed project will have approximately 16,000 square feet of floor space in two floors. The bottom floor having four consultation rooms, three operating rooms, recovery rooms, reception area and other support facilities. The top floor will have a large auditorium and training rooms. Services to be provided include cornea transplants, cataract and retina surgeries, and other ophthamological procedures -- all provided free of charge to the poor. In addition, the meeting rooms will be convenient for providing training to medical professionals and students. The total construction budget is equal to approximately $250,000. I would estimate that the building was fifteen percent complete, when I visited the construction site the summer of 2003. The Foundation is desperately needing any and all financial support, to be able to complete the hospital in a timely fashion. Individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the Lions Club Eye Hospital will have plaques with their names placed in the Hospital and/or have specific rooms named after them, in honor of their support. The plan is to receive a grant from the Lions Club International Foundation, to equip the hospital and operating funds will be provided from government programs targeted to the poor, as well as continuing contributions and bequests. My wife, Gerlane is a native of Joao Pessoa. We met in 1963, while I was serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the State of Paraiba. We will be spending the summer of 2004 in Joao Pessoa and at that time, I will be spending time with Sr. Burity, visiting the hospital construction site and I will be transferring cash contributions that have accumulated up to that point in time. To facilitate the collection of contributions and transfer to Brazil, the College Station Noon Lions Club, my home club, has agreed to serve as a conduit for money collected in the United States. Contributions can be mailed to: Mr. Don Bailey, Treasurer
College Station Noon Lions Club
1703 Todd Trail
College Station, Texas 77845-5333 (A notation should be made that the contribution is for "Brazil Eye Hospital") Contributors will receive confirmation of their confirmation, plus periodic follow-up reports and photos. I encourage all Lions Club members, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who served in Brazil and others interested in cooperating to consider making a contribution to this very worthy project. Thank you. Cordially, Nelson L. Jacob, Ph.D.
Brazil Peace Corps Volunteer (1962-65)
Member, College Station, Texas Noon Lions Club
January 2004
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