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I Could Not Read, But Now I Can
Jovinsky Valcin, from Ounanaminthe, Haiti, is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He participated in an outreach activity for children with limited resources offered by a local ophthalmology clinic. It was recognized that he was an intelligent boy but struggled to read.
Reading had always been a problem for Jovinsky. It was humiliating and disappointing to him. Reading the notes on the board in class was almost impossible. To read from a book, he had to bring it right up to his face to see the words.
When asked how he felt when studying his notes or looking at the chalkboard at school, he responded, “I feel uncomfortable, and I get discouraged easily.”
When his father was asked if he knew that his son, who was so bright, had a serious vision problem, he said, “I realized that. It’s just that we have to wait a little bit more. But we’re working on [it].” It was obvious that Jovinsky and his family needed some assistance to get him glasses.
When the clinic recognized the problem, they asked Jovinsky and his father to visit their clinic in Ouanaminthe. The clinic ran all the eye tests to see what was medically wrong with his vision and then sent a prescription for glasses to the lab.
The glasses were recently delivered to him. It was one of the most beautiful days the clinic had ever experienced. Before the glasses were delivered, the clinic asked the family to pay 100 Haitian Gourdes (US $0.75). Jovinsky couldn’t believe what he heard and gently asked, “Did you just say 100 Gourdes?” When he realized what he thought he heard was right, the answer brought a transforming smile to his face.
Jovinsky says, “I could not read, but now I can.” He recognizes that the Lord sent angels to him with the miracle of sight. He thanks everyone who were so helpful and generous with him. Now, he enjoys being able to work on his homework assignments. The clinic and his new friends keep in touch with him and wish him all the best.