Roach returns from goodwill effort; Senator concerned about ousting of Honduran President

July 1, 2009 9:11 pm
A woman has her glasses inspected during Sen. Pam Roach's recent visit to Honduras.
A woman has her glasses inspected during Sen. Pam Roach's recent visit to Honduras.

The events unfolding in Honduras after a coup ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya have received attention from government leaders worldwide.

However, these events and their impact on the Honduran people hit very close to home for Sen. Pam Roach (R-rural Auburn) who recently returned from a goodwill effort to Honduras to take vision care to poverty stricken areas of the country.

“I am extremely concerned about the stability of the country and the precedent recent events have set.” Roach said. “The people in Honduras are anxious to know whether Hugo Chavez, leftist leader of Venezuela, will be allowed to send troops in. I believe that would be a devastating turn of events for the freedom-loving Honduran people and the region.”

In addition to her legislative duties, Roach is the founder of La Escuela de Esperanza (School of Hope), which provides help to teachers, educational material and humanitarian relief for the people of Honduras. She has made eight trips to Honduras to take supplies and provide medical relief for the communities there.

Roach invited VOSH, Volunteer Optometrists Serving Humanity, to join her and Rep. Dan Roach, who served as an interpreter for the medical team, in the goodwill effort this year. Dr. Christopher Barry, an optometrist practicing in Bellevue, led the VOSH effort and was hosted by Roach’s La Escuela de Esperanza (School of Hope).

During their stay, the group of 15, including four optometrists, ran three vision-care clinics along the northern shoreline of Honduras. VOSH/International, working with Lions Clubs, took 4,000 pair of eyeglasses to distribute to those who needed them.

“All our goals were met,” Sen. Roach said. “I am very proud of the local Honduran people. Without their support we could not have accomplished all that we did. Hondurans love Americans and are very grateful for our help.”

“Great work is happening in Honduras through the Peace Core, USAID, Habitat for Humanity, church mission groups, and many other small non-profits like La Esuela De Esperanza.” Roach said. “It is very important that Honduras and neighboring countries maintain a strong and free democracy for this type of work to continue.”

Roach’s trip to Honduras was also a part of her ongoing effort to provide Washington students the opportunity to learn Spanish and Chinese at the elementary level.

For more information, contact Sen. Pam Roach at 360-786-7660 or via e-mail at Roach.pam@leg.wa.go