Seeing clearly for the first time in 7 years...priceless!

Today we made our way to Vushtrri and did our first eyeglass clinic at the HandiKOS Centre.  We distributed about 80 pair of eyeglasses and sunglasses with the help of our very fine translators.  It was fun to see the smiles spread across the faces of those people who were finally given the chance to improve their eyesight from their new pair of reading glasses.  Laminated reading chart: $2.00.  A pair of brand new readers: 50 cents.  Seeing clearly for the first time in 7 years...priceless!

We also went to do 4 home visits this afternoon.  The first 3 took us up into the foothills around Vushtrri which offered a spectacular view.  One home visit was particularly intriguing.  Before the war, a family of 7 lived in a tiny little house before the war (see photo). Afterwards, KFOR (Kosova military police) helped them build a more sturdier structure. The family lives several kilometers outside Vushtrri, but Isak (HandiKOS manager) has made the long trek on foot several times to visit the families in this area.

 After we got back from Vushtrri, Banush's wife, Fitnete, made a wonderful Albanian meal for us this evening.  We deeply appreciate their hospitality.  We ate like kings!  We had a demonstration on the fine art of Turkish coffee-making and enjoyed a cup as well.

Tomorrow it's back to Vushtrri for more home visits and another eyeglass clinic.

The old cottage

A grateful family

Banush's family