\u2018Now that I\u2019m sitting on the train back home, having just landed in Zurich, I can\u2019t help but think back on the last few days in Botswana.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, every single person who has allowed me to be part of this very special expedition with the Elena Barraquer Foundation.<\/p>\n
It has been deeply moving to see how, by working together, we have managed to restore sight to so many people through cataract surgery and, in doing so, give them a little more independence and quality of life.<\/p>\n
What has impressed me most has not only been the medical and technical results, but also the team spirit, passion and commitment with which each of us has contributed to making this possible.<\/p>\n
This week has reminded me, once again, of just how much we can achieve when we work together, and how valuable our work is when it directly reaches those who need it most.<\/p>\n
I take with me this experience and all the encounters I\u2019ve had, which I will remember for a long time to come. Thank you for making me feel part of this wonderful team.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Emilia, surgeon<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019d also like to say a few words to thank you all for these days we\u2019ve spent together in Africa.<\/p>\n What we\u2019ve achieved is wonderful! 580 people can now see again thanks to everyone\u2019s hard work. It\u2019s absolutely incredible when you stop to think about what that means!<\/p>\n I\u2019m taking home an incredible experience. I think that each of us, in our own way, has been essential in making sure everything went as it did. Because this isn\u2019t just about performing operations, but about all the work that goes into every surgery.<\/p>\n I\u2019d particularly like to thank Lau, who has been infinitely patient with me and made me feel really at ease from day one, making things so much easier for me. It\u2019s been a huge pleasure working with you!<\/p>\n I\u2019m leaving happy, grateful and with the feeling of having shared something truly special.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Graciela, ophthalmologist<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cFor me, this experience has been very special. One of the reasons I chose to become an ophthalmologist was precisely the hope of one day being able to take part in an expedition like this.<\/p>\n It has been thrilling to see a group of people working so hard, in a coordinated manner and towards a common goal.<\/p>\n Naza, Lucho, Caro, Laura, Sof\u00eda and Bruno, working tirelessly; Bea, Caty and Norbert, completely out of their comfort zone, giving their very best; Fede, looking after the patients\u2019 wellbeing and ours too \u2014 thank you for your visits! \u2014; Mar\u00eda, juggling all the coordination; and my dear Sara, who couldn\u2019t have been a better companion on this adventure, both personally and professionally.<\/p>\n Thank you all. I hope we\u2019ll meet again. I carry you all in my heart with so much affection.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sara, field volunteer<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018What can I say that hasn\u2019t already been said?<\/p>\n Norbert, you\u2019re an inspiration to us all. Thank you!<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a pleasure to spend this week full of emotions with you all. This has been my first experience of humanitarian work, but I\u2019m sure it won\u2019t be my last.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know if I could keep up with the surgeons \u2013 you\u2019re all brilliant! Caro, so brave; Naza, so experienced; and Luciano, thank you for sharing all your knowledge with me. It was a real treat to watch you operate.<\/p>\n My admiration also goes to the scrub nurses, who, in my view, have one of the toughest roles on the expedition, and my utmost appreciation to Bea and Caty, who, despite not being medical staff, have done a brilliant job!<\/p>\n Mar\u00eda, thank you for including me in this project.<\/p>\n And to our South African colleagues, thank you for the chocolate, the Amarula and the lessons to help improve my English!<\/p>\n See you soon!\u201d<\/p>\n Much more than 580 operations<\/strong><\/p>\n Every expedition reminds us that restoring sight is a collective effort. Behind every operation there are many hands, a wealth of knowledge, hours of dedication and people who devote their expertise and time to helping others.<\/p>\n In Botswana, 580 people have regained their sight thanks to the commitment of a team that has worked together towards a single goal.<\/p>\n Thank you to all our volunteers for making this possible. Because restoring sight also means restoring independence, opportunities and quality of life.<\/p>\n #NoMoreCataracts<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Behind every Elena Barraquer Foundation expedition lies much more than just surgery. There are intense days of work, shared effort, camaraderie and, above all, many stories of people regaining their sight and, with it, part of their independence and quality of life. Our latest expedition to Botswana has been a very special experience for the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4445,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[449,105,103],"class_list":["post-4442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-expeditions","tag-expedicion","tag-humanitarian-aid","tag-volunteering"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fundacionelenabarraquer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-23.09.48-scaled.jpeg\")
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