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We're All God's Children
118 Parklawn Ct.
Lancaster, PA 17601
717-278-0979

Native America

Once, their nation was proud and strong. Now, they are the poorest of America's poor. Native Americans living on reservations are the most impoverished people in our nation. Did you know that:

• South Dakota is home to the top 10 poorest counties in the United States

• Crow Creek Reservation is the poorest, with an average income of $3,400 per year

• Pine Ridge Reservation, with 80% unemployment, is slightly higher at $3,700 per year

The medical situation on reservations is no better than the above statistics. Diabetes is one of the most debilitating diseases suffered by Native Americans.   High rates of alcoholism, heart disease and cancer also abound. The infant mortality rate on reservations is one of the highest in the USA. These are realities that people on Native American reservations face daily. Statistics vary on different reservations, but the fact that help is needed cannot be denied.

In the fall of 2007 WAGC returned from a fact-finding trip to Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. While there we toured the reservation and met with members of the community, and the directors of several local community and health organizations. There was an apparent lack of businesses, health care providers and recreational facilities on the reservation which is 120 miles from the nearest city.

Our Native American team visited Pine Ridge Reservation in June 2008 and held a week long free vision screening and eyeglass distribution clinic. With eyeglasses and equipment provided by the Manheim Township Sunrise Lions Club we were able to screen 471 residents and provided 315 free pairs of eyeglasses! And just as important we opened the door to a relationship with these people based on mutual trust and respect. To learn more about our experiences on Pine Ridge please read our Special Native American Report 2008.

In September 2009, our vision team of 24 wonderful volunteers returned to Pine Ridge Reservation, setting up vision clinics for four schools within the Shannon County district. Due to the generosity of the Manheim Township Sunrise Lions Club we had over 4,500 pairs of prescription eyeglasses sorted and packed for the vision clinics. Our team joyfully held vision screening clinics at Red Shirt, Rocky Ford, Wolf Creek and Batesland schools. We also held a 1 day vision clinic at the Porcupine Medical Clinic. In that one week, we saw 1105 children and adults, and gave away 330 prescription glasses, not including readers. This indicates that 1/3 of the population of the four schools we saw received prescription eyewear.

As each child or adult completed their vision screening, we asked them to read back to us the Christian bookmark that we gifted them, encouraging them in our belief in Christ. In conjunction with the medical supplies we transported to the Porcupine Medical clinic, books, books and more books from the Appalachian Book Project were brought to the reservation. The children also received their choice of a book to take home with them – for many the first book they ever owned. It was wonderful to see eyes glistening behind their new glasses and clutching their newest possession, a book to read, and at least one bookmark to mark their place.

We have planned a return trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation on September 11, 2010 for the express purpose of vision testing and eyeglass distribution at several schools as well as the Porcupine Medical Clinic. Please consider becoming a part of our volunteer team. We will be interviewing volunteers for our team soon. Contact us at info@wereallgodschildren.org if you are interested. To learn more about life on Pine Ridge Reservation please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH-Z0l24h88 For more information on how you can help the residents of Pine Ridge visit our Support Us page.