Back L-R: Alex Kennedy, Cari Evans, Gordon Wong, Tim Hurburt, Hannah McCutcheon, Nicole Taylor, Saliou Ba, Peter Stirling, Middle L-R: Koko Tsuzuki, Keara Evans, Ariana Mitchell, Dylan Sousie, Tom Gillis, and the Wong children. Front L-R: Sydney, Cameron, and Hallie Wong
For third-year optometry student Koko Tsuzuki, the 2024 University of Waterloo Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) trip to Senegal was the culmination of a year-long planning process that began in October 2023.
The journey began with assembling a team of seven School of Optometry and Vision Science students willing to embark on this adventure. Early in the planning, she reached out to Dr. Gordon Wong, a B.C.-based optometrist who graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1994. Wong then invited his friend Dr. Alex Kennedy, another optometrist from his class, to join, adding further expertise to the team.
Peter Stirling, a staff member at the School with long-standing ties to Senegal, played a pivotal role in organizing the trip. His passion for Senegal and its healthcare needs has led him to join several VOSH trips to Senegal to ensure accommodations, transportation and clinic spaces were ready and available.
Tsuzuki organized a detailed planning process to prepare for the trip, which involved sorting donated glasses, booking flights, and acquiring diagnostic and therapeutic supplies. She organized training sessions to teach specific clinical techniques and also to learn about the cultural heritage of Senegal. The team created packing lists and designed new patient exam forms from scratch. Countless meetings with mentors, the team and donors helped to prepare for the trip.
Team member Ariana Mitchell tests the eyes of a patient.
On top of several fundraisers, including a Santa photo booth, Valentine’s Day candygrams and a silent auction run in collaboration with the entire class of 2026, the VOSH Senegal team also completed a successful Pi Day fundraiser in March 2023 to help cover clinic costs, as well as cataract surgeries for patients who need them.
The first clinic day was chaotic due to illness among team members, but the team adapted quickly, conducting eye exams, encountering various ocular health issues and providing patient education.
“Addressing refractive errors, particularly at near with reading glasses, had a significant impact on patients' lives,” says Tsuzuki. “Moments like a patient exclaiming “Voilà!” upon seeing clearly with reading glasses were incredibly rewarding.”
Community members Catherine Kante, Andre Camara and Jean-Baptiste Bindia assisted as translators. Communicating with patients through broken French and gestures when our translators were busy elsewhere was both challenging and fulfilling. The experience underscored the importance of personal connections and dedication in providing quality healthcare.
Team translator Jean-Baptiste Bindia assists with an eye exam.
This journey shifted Tsuzuki’s perspective on service trips. When beginning her optometric education, she envisioned participating in many such trips throughout her career. Being deeply involved in the planning process made her appreciate the immense effort required to bring such initiatives to life.
“Our last night in Senegal was emotional as we reflected on the last two weeks of travel and work”, says Tsuzuki. “The teamwork, commitment, and compassion poured into this trip were truly inspiring. Despite facing challenges, every team member remained positive and dedicated. This trip taught us the value of compassion, cultural preservation, and the importance of truly connecting with people when providing healthcare.”