As a nurse, I had always been interested in doing some mission work. In noiembrie 1994, I joined with a local optometrist for a VOSH Ohio eyecare mission into Honduras.

I became hooked! I am currently coordinating a mission for April 2024, thus making my service for the underserved going onto 30 ani.

Sometimes I believe that I get as much satisfaction out of the missions as the patients do, when they are able to see clearly for the first time. My gratitude comes from the look on their faces, the hugs given and the general sense of service that our team provides. It is humbling to place ourselves into the setting of those we serve, even if only for a short time period. We come away with a sense of understanding how others live in different cultures.

I began coordinating these missions in 1997, as our local optometrist became unable to continue with his mission work. This became my passion and it is difficult to think about bowing out, due to multiple birthdays. I have been blessed to serve those in Africa, Eastern Europe, Central and South America, Haiti and the Caribbean. What wonderful people I have met, both in these countries and along with team members coming from all over the U.S. and actually some from other countries to form well-oiled machines.

I published a memoir book about these missions in 2016. The name of it is “Perseverance Missions to the World” by Barbara Plaugher.

Thanks to VOSH for allowing me to be a part of this great organization and bringing so much fulfillment into my life.

Barbara Plaugher, RN MSEd