I n 1992 IRT began addressing the

critical issues of eye disease,

cataracts and vision loss through

its surgical and clinical programs that

have now been conducted in nine

countries. Thanks to the generous

support of our volunteers and donors,

this legacy continues. In May, IRT

partnered with The Africa Group (TAG)

to launch its Sight for Life program in

Uganda, a country of extreme poverty and few

medical specialists.

The seven member team, including medical

professionals from California, Colorado and

Virginia, spent eight days performing cataract

surgery and treating eye problems at St.

Anthony’s hospital in the small town of Tororo.

“I have been to many developing countries

over the years, but it is still shocking to me to

witness the profound poverty that exists in the

world. The hospital lacked even the most basic

A publication of International Relief Teams Summer 2010

We WantTo Hear

FromYou!

11

4560 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Suite 2GSan Diego, CA 92120

(619) 284-7979 • 284-7938 faxE-mail: info@irteams.org

www.irteams.org

NON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 2329SAN DIEGO, CA

International Relief Teamsalleviates human suffering by providing

health services and humanitarian assistance to victims of disaster, neglect

and profound poverty worldwide.

IRT is classified as a charitable organizationunder section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Allcontributions and bequests are deductible tothe extent allowed by the law, and can bemade by mail or on-line on our secure

website at www.irteams.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Please direct any comments, questionsor feedback regarding TEAMNews to:

Editor: Susan Callahan,Communications & Development

619/284-7979, scallahan@irteams.org

We Want To Hear From You!

Excellence EfficiencyHHiigghheesstt RRaattiinngg ffrroomm

IInnddeeppeennddeenntt CChhaarriittyy EEvvaalluuaattoorr

FFUUNNDDRRAAIISSIINNGG && AADDMMIINNIISSTTRRAATTIIVVEE 11..9999%%PPRROOGGRRAAMM SSEERRVVIICCEESS 9988..0011%%

Restoring Sight in Uganda

Continued on page 2

“The people had a deep sense of appreciation which touched the very core of my being”

- IRT Volunteer Charles Narh, O.T.

7-Day DreamVacation

IRT is excited to announce a very special

summer drawing for a 7-day vacation at a top-

rated timeshare resort of your choice…plus

$1,000 towards your travel expenses!

The proceeds will support our outreach to

impoverished children throughout the world.

Entry tickets have already been mailed to you.

If you desire additional tickets, call our office

at (619) 284-7979.

*Remember to return your tickets for the September 15th drawing!

Donate Your Vehicle to BenefitINTERNATIONAL RELIEF TEAMS

IT’S TAX DEDUCTIBLE!CARS, BOATS, RVS, AIRPLANES, ETC. Didyou know International Relief Teams isnow able to accept used car donations inCalifornia through the not for profitcorporation, Cars 4 Causes? They handle allthe paper-work, title change, free pick up

and sale of the car. It’s easy, all you need to do is pick up thephone and call 1-800 766-2273. We receive the donation, andyou receive the tax deduction!

INDEED, IT WOULD! In fact, if everyone who receives this newslettergave just $20 per month, we could double the amount of help we presentlygive worldwide.If you find writing a monthly check a hassle, IRT provides a free automaticwithdrawal service whereby your monthly donation is sent to us directlyfrom your bank account.So please join with others in providing the financial foundation we need to continuehelping those who find themselves victims of disaster and poverty.

*Make your donation on line on our secure website at www.irteams.org

You may ask if your $20 per month donationwould really make a difference.

72

Restoring Sight in UgandaContinued from page 1

supplies such as sheets

and blankets” said

IRT’s Program

Director, Rose Uranga,

who accompanied the

team. “It took more

than two years to

plan, organize and

obtain Ugandan

approval for this

project, but the

overwhelming

gratitude of the

patients, many of

whom had lost the

ability to work and to care for their families, made it

all worthwhile”.

According to IRT volunteer, Regina Legge, C.S.T “ Unlike

most of our patients in the U.S. whose needs/wants are

to have better vision to drive, read or perhaps watch T.V.,

the patients in Uganda need to see for life providing

functions such as cooking over open fires, carrying water,

etc. These wonderful people have no sense of

entitlement. Being part of a team that gives them not

only their sight but their livelihood is a phenomenal

experience! The handshake or smile received after

removing an eye patch is the biggest reward.”

Special thanks to The Africa Group, our many medical

suppliers, and those team members who devoted their

time, expertise and financial resources to make this

mission possible: Kelly Hardiman, R.N., Kris Karlen, M.D.,

Regina Legge, C.S.T., Charles Narh, O.T., Evelyn Snyder,

R.N. and Doreen Somers, C.S.T.

I n June, IRT medical volunteers traveled to Cambodiawhere they provided specialized surgical and clinicalservices during a 2-week assignment aboard the USNS

Mercy, a floating 1,000 bed hospital with 10 fullyequipped operating rooms.

IRT was one of only three U.S. based nonprofitorganizations selected to join in this collaborativehumanitarian mission with the U.S. military. Our teamincluded: Medical Director, Therese Rymer, N.P., AmandaGosman, M.D. (Plastic Surgery), Glen Yoshida. M.D.(Otolaryngology), Terry Holbrook, F.N.P. (PrimaryCare), Susanna Rudy, RN (ICU), and Evelyn Snyder,R.N. (OR).

This was IRT’s 3rd assignment aboard the USNSMercy. Last year IRT volunteers also traveled to theSolomon Islands where they provided clinicalservices during a 2-week assignment aboard theUSNS Richard E. Byrd.

IRT volunteers, (l to r) Susanna Rudy, EvelynSnyder, Therese Rymer and Glen Yoshyida, M.D.

IRT Partners with the U.S. Navy to Provide Humanitarian Assistance in Cambodia

The Gala this year promises to be the bestever as IRT celebrates 22 years of providingcritical assistance to victims of disaster,profound poverty and neglect. The proceedsfrom this special fundraising event helpprovide the resources for IRT to continue togive the “gifts of hope” - medical training,surgical outreach, disaster relief and healthpromotion & disease prevention - to thousandsof families worldwide.

The evening will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.with a silent auction filled with uniquetreasures followed by a delicious dinner andexciting live auction. Carol LeBeau will be ouremcee and Steve Hamann will be ourauctioneer! Dancing will immediately followprogram with music provided by “Rockola”.

SAVE THE DATE!IRT will host its

17th Annual

“Gifts of Hope” Galaon Saturday, October 23rd

at the beautiful San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina.

Plan now to attend. Tickets are $155 per person.

Take advantage of our Early Bird discountof $140 per person by mailing in your ticket by October 1.

If you do not receive an invitation and would like to attend,please call our office at

(619) 284-7979.Cambodian patients waiting in line for medical attention

36

In June, violent ethnicconflict in Kyrgyzstan, wheremore than 200 people were

killed, triggered a mass wave ofrefugees, mainly women,children and the elderly, acrossthe border into the Andijanprovince of Uzbekistan.

In response to this urgenthumanitarian situation where as many as 40,000 of the100,000 refugees were without shelter, IRT shippedmedicines and relief supplies to address the healthproblems of the refugees including child malnutrition,diarrheal diseases, hypertension, minor injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.

IRT partnered with an established NGO in the region whodistributed the shipment to hospitals and clinics treatingthe victims of the ethnic violence.

April• HAITI: IRT sent a shipment of tents to provide shelter

for orphans left homeless by the earthquake.

May• UGANDA: IRT ophthalmology volunteers traveled to a

remote region of Uganda to provide clinical andsurgical services forpoor villagers.

• MISSISSIPPI: IRTdeployed its 27thconstruction reliefteam to Mississippito repair homes ofpoor and elderlyHurricane Katrinavictims.

• NIGER & BURUNDI:IRT sent 2 shipmentsof medicines andmedical suppliesworth more than$5.5 million to Nigerand Burundi forhumanitarian relief.

June• HONDURAS: IRT sent 2 shipments of essential

medicines and medical supplies worth more than $4.2 million and a shipment of prenatal vitaminsworth more than $4.7 million to alleviate shortages in hospitals and clinics throughout Honduras.

IRT Updates• CAMBODIA: IRT medical volunteers joined with

U.S. Navy to provide surgical and clinical servicesfor the poor during a 2-week assignment aboardthe USNS Mercy.

• HAITI: IRT staff and volunteer constructionspecialists traveled to Haiti to assess rebuilding anearthquake damaged orphanage. Team also carriedduffle bags filled with clothing for the orphans.

July• MISSISSIPPI: IRT deployed its 28th construction

relief team to Mississippi to repair homes ofHurricane Katrina victims.

• UZBEKISTAN: IRT sent a shipment of medicinesand medical supplies to Uzbekistan for refugeesfleeing ethnic conflict in nearby Kyrgyzstan.

• HAITI: IRT delivered a solar-powered water purifi-cation system to Haiti as part of ongoing disasterrelief and recovery efforts which will provide cleanwater to 7-10,000 people a day.

IRT Construction Volunteer, Andy Knowles

Refugee woman flees violencein Kyrgyzstan

Refugee Crisis inUzbekistan

Call Tamra at our office 619-284-7979

to volunteer or for moreinformation.

2010/11VOLUNTEER TEAMOPPORTUNITIES

Our volunteers change lives…ordinary men and women doing

extraordinary things!

The only qualification you need is a willing heart.

- SKILLED CONSTRUCTION TEAMS -

MISSISSIPPI

Disaster Relief

Skilled construction volunteers (carpenters, roofers, dry wallers, framers) are

needed to help rebuild/repair homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Hawaii Vacation DrawingWe are pleased to announce that Chuck & Kate Du Vivier of Encinitas, CA were thewinners of IRT’s drawing for a “Hawaiian Vacation for Two”. Chuck & Kate willsoon be spending a fun-filled week at the beautiful Sheraton Kauai Resort on theisland of Kauai.

Thanks to all of our supporters who participated in the drawing and to the Sheraton Kauai Resort for sponsoringthe accommodations for this trip.

Aloha, Chuck & Kate!

Child in Haiti searching for clean water

SUPPORT OUR LIFESAVING WORK!

Each year, IRT helps thousands of families andchildren around the world facing desperate

situations. But we can’t do it without you!! Your gifttoday will save lives, and bring hope and healing tosuffering people who need help right now. Pleasesend in your donation today, or make it online at

www.irteams.org.

THANK YOU for your compassion and support!

IRT construction volunteer, Ken McIntyre, in Mississippi

IRT will closely monitor the situation to determine

how to best help with the construction needs of the

orphanage along with continuing to assist with the

pressing needs of food and water throughout the

area. “In the meantime, we were happy to see that

the children had been moved to a small house where

they at least have shelter from the wind and rain,”

said Rose Uranga.

The Mission Par La Foi orphanage is only one of

hundreds of orphanages that were destroyed in the

earthquake – leaving thousands of orphans without

food or proper shelter. With your help, IRT will

continue to assist the victims of this epic tragedy for

as long as possible.

4 5

When the Mission Par La Foi orphanage, which

included a school and a clinic, collapsed on

January 12, one child was killed and forty

three others left homeless. All forty three children, along

with their caretakers, were living in a single tent when IRT

learned of their situation. Although relief organizations

assisting Haiti were depleting the supply of tents in the

U.S. and abroad, IRT was able to locate additional tents

and immediately send them to Haiti via air freight.

In June, long time construction volunteers Tim Connole,

General Contractor, and Jim Schaible, Architect, along

with IRT’s Program Director, Rose Uranga, traveled to

Haiti to visit the orphanage and investigate the possibility

of providing permanent shelter. Along with their tents

and sleeping bags, the group carried over six large duffle

bags filled with enough clothes, shoes and toys for every

child, a generous donation from San Diego Target stores.

IRT Returns to Haiti“The best part of the trip was seeing hope in the faces of the people,

especially the children, the hope we were honored to bring.”

Jim Schaible, IRT Construction Volunteer

Over the past 25years I havevolunteered withIRT in teachingconstructionpractices thatwould improvethe stability oftheir structuresand better thelives of those inforeign countries.Most recently IRTasked me to go toHaiti to assess thedamage to an orphanage, clinic and school (that had justbeen completed 3 years ago) from the January earthquake.

It was completely demolished with nothing salvageable.As a matter of fact, of the 3 story building, the 3rd storywas all broken up and sitting on the ground where the1st and 2nd levels were crumbled beneath. One of thechildren was in the building at the time of the quake andwas killed. Literally, thousands of buildings throughoutHaiti, many of which I visited have bodies trapped in therubble and will more than likely not be cleared for yearsto come.

This was truly one of the more shocking experiences of mylife. I do intend to return and “give back” where I can.Hopefully, in my little way, show them a more stable formof construction. The largest challenges the people of Haitiface are hunger, clothing and shelter. Three very basicassets we all take for granted.

We truly are so blessed with all we have. So I have arequest. I know you may think that we are going through“hard times” but believe me; we don’t have a clue whathard times really are. I hope that through my eyes, you cansee the true need of those in Haiti and donate whateveryou can to International Relief Teams – Haiti Relief and helpthose much, much more unfortunate than we are.

God Bless. Tim Connole

After returning to the U.S. from Haiti, IRTvolunteer Tim Connole was so moved by what he had seen that he sent the

following email to his family and friends.

(l to r) IRT Volunteer, Jim Schaible, and IRT Program Director, Rose Uranga, in Haiti

Haitian children seeking shelter from the rain

IRT Program Director, Rose Uranga,holds Haitian orphan

JANUARY

• $160,000 in emergency medicines and supplies.

• Medical volunteers to provide emergency care.

FEBRUARY

• 1,000 hygiene kits.

• 100,000 meals

• $1 million in emergency medicines and supplies.

• 1,236 large family tents.

APRIL

• Tents to house homeless orphans.

JUNE

• IRT staff and construction volunteers to assessconstruction aid in rebuilding orphanage. Teamcarried 12 large duffle bags of clothing for theorphans.

JULY

• Solar-powered water purification system to provide clean water to 7-10,000 people a day.

More than 6 months after the devastating earthquake in Haiti an estimated one million people remaindisplaced and struggling to receive basic supplies. IRT remains committed to working toward recovery.

To that purpose, IRT has already airlifted, deployed and/or shipped to Haiti the following:

Haiti Update

With your help, IRT will continue to assist the victims of this epic tragedy for as long as

possible. If you have not already done so, please send your donation to: IRT- Haiti Relief

IRT Volunteer, Tim Connole

IRT will closely monitor the situation to determine

how to best help with the construction needs of the

orphanage along with continuing to assist with the

pressing needs of food and water throughout the

area. “In the meantime, we were happy to see that

the children had been moved to a small house where

they at least have shelter from the wind and rain,”

said Rose Uranga.

The Mission Par La Foi orphanage is only one of

hundreds of orphanages that were destroyed in the

earthquake – leaving thousands of orphans without

food or proper shelter. With your help, IRT will

continue to assist the victims of this epic tragedy for

as long as possible.

4 5

When the Mission Par La Foi orphanage, which

included a school and a clinic, collapsed on

January 12, one child was killed and forty

three others left homeless. All forty three children, along

with their caretakers, were living in a single tent when IRT

learned of their situation. Although relief organizations

assisting Haiti were depleting the supply of tents in the

U.S. and abroad, IRT was able to locate additional tents

and immediately send them to Haiti via air freight.

In June, long time construction volunteers Tim Connole,

General Contractor, and Jim Schaible, Architect, along

with IRT’s Program Director, Rose Uranga, traveled to

Haiti to visit the orphanage and investigate the possibility

of providing permanent shelter. Along with their tents

and sleeping bags, the group carried over six large duffle

bags filled with enough clothes, shoes and toys for every

child, a generous donation from San Diego Target stores.

IRT Returns to Haiti“The best part of the trip was seeing hope in the faces of the people,

especially the children, the hope we were honored to bring.”

Jim Schaible, IRT Construction Volunteer

Over the past 25years I havevolunteered withIRT in teachingconstructionpractices thatwould improvethe stability oftheir structuresand better thelives of those inforeign countries.Most recently IRTasked me to go toHaiti to assess thedamage to an orphanage, clinic and school (that had justbeen completed 3 years ago) from the January earthquake.

It was completely demolished with nothing salvageable.As a matter of fact, of the 3 story building, the 3rd storywas all broken up and sitting on the ground where the1st and 2nd levels were crumbled beneath. One of thechildren was in the building at the time of the quake andwas killed. Literally, thousands of buildings throughoutHaiti, many of which I visited have bodies trapped in therubble and will more than likely not be cleared for yearsto come.

This was truly one of the more shocking experiences of mylife. I do intend to return and “give back” where I can.Hopefully, in my little way, show them a more stable formof construction. The largest challenges the people of Haitiface are hunger, clothing and shelter. Three very basicassets we all take for granted.

We truly are so blessed with all we have. So I have arequest. I know you may think that we are going through“hard times” but believe me; we don’t have a clue whathard times really are. I hope that through my eyes, you cansee the true need of those in Haiti and donate whateveryou can to International Relief Teams – Haiti Relief and helpthose much, much more unfortunate than we are.

God Bless. Tim Connole

After returning to the U.S. from Haiti, IRTvolunteer Tim Connole was so moved by what he had seen that he sent the

following email to his family and friends.

(l to r) IRT Volunteer, Jim Schaible, and IRT Program Director, Rose Uranga, in Haiti

Haitian children seeking shelter from the rain

IRT Program Director, Rose Uranga,holds Haitian orphan

JANUARY

• $160,000 in emergency medicines and supplies.

• Medical volunteers to provide emergency care.

FEBRUARY

• 1,000 hygiene kits.

• 100,000 meals

• $1 million in emergency medicines and supplies.

• 1,236 large family tents.

APRIL

• Tents to house homeless orphans.

JUNE

• IRT staff and construction volunteers to assessconstruction aid in rebuilding orphanage. Teamcarried 12 large duffle bags of clothing for theorphans.

JULY

• Solar-powered water purification system to provide clean water to 7-10,000 people a day.

More than 6 months after the devastating earthquake in Haiti an estimated one million people remaindisplaced and struggling to receive basic supplies. IRT remains committed to working toward recovery.

To that purpose, IRT has already airlifted, deployed and/or shipped to Haiti the following:

Haiti Update

With your help, IRT will continue to assist the victims of this epic tragedy for as long as

possible. If you have not already done so, please send your donation to: IRT- Haiti Relief

IRT Volunteer, Tim Connole

36

In June, violent ethnicconflict in Kyrgyzstan, wheremore than 200 people were

killed, triggered a mass wave ofrefugees, mainly women,children and the elderly, acrossthe border into the Andijanprovince of Uzbekistan.

In response to this urgenthumanitarian situation where as many as 40,000 of the100,000 refugees were without shelter, IRT shippedmedicines and relief supplies to address the healthproblems of the refugees including child malnutrition,diarrheal diseases, hypertension, minor injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.

IRT partnered with an established NGO in the region whodistributed the shipment to hospitals and clinics treatingthe victims of the ethnic violence.

April• HAITI: IRT sent a shipment of tents to provide shelter

for orphans left homeless by the earthquake.

May• UGANDA: IRT ophthalmology volunteers traveled to a

remote region of Uganda to provide clinical andsurgical services forpoor villagers.

• MISSISSIPPI: IRTdeployed its 27thconstruction reliefteam to Mississippito repair homes ofpoor and elderlyHurricane Katrinavictims.

• NIGER & BURUNDI:IRT sent 2 shipmentsof medicines andmedical suppliesworth more than$5.5 million to Nigerand Burundi forhumanitarian relief.

June• HONDURAS: IRT sent 2 shipments of essential

medicines and medical supplies worth more than $4.2 million and a shipment of prenatal vitaminsworth more than $4.7 million to alleviate shortages in hospitals and clinics throughout Honduras.

IRT Updates• CAMBODIA: IRT medical volunteers joined with

U.S. Navy to provide surgical and clinical servicesfor the poor during a 2-week assignment aboardthe USNS Mercy.

• HAITI: IRT staff and volunteer constructionspecialists traveled to Haiti to assess rebuilding anearthquake damaged orphanage. Team also carriedduffle bags filled with clothing for the orphans.

July• MISSISSIPPI: IRT deployed its 28th construction

relief team to Mississippi to repair homes ofHurricane Katrina victims.

• UZBEKISTAN: IRT sent a shipment of medicinesand medical supplies to Uzbekistan for refugeesfleeing ethnic conflict in nearby Kyrgyzstan.

• HAITI: IRT delivered a solar-powered water purifi-cation system to Haiti as part of ongoing disasterrelief and recovery efforts which will provide cleanwater to 7-10,000 people a day.

IRT Construction Volunteer, Andy Knowles

Refugee woman flees violencein Kyrgyzstan

Refugee Crisis inUzbekistan

Call Tamra at our office 619-284-7979

to volunteer or for moreinformation.

2010/11VOLUNTEER TEAMOPPORTUNITIES

Our volunteers change lives…ordinary men and women doing

extraordinary things!

The only qualification you need is a willing heart.

- SKILLED CONSTRUCTION TEAMS -

MISSISSIPPI

Disaster Relief

Skilled construction volunteers (carpenters, roofers, dry wallers, framers) are

needed to help rebuild/repair homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Hawaii Vacation DrawingWe are pleased to announce that Chuck & Kate Du Vivier of Encinitas, CA were thewinners of IRT’s drawing for a “Hawaiian Vacation for Two”. Chuck & Kate willsoon be spending a fun-filled week at the beautiful Sheraton Kauai Resort on theisland of Kauai.

Thanks to all of our supporters who participated in the drawing and to the Sheraton Kauai Resort for sponsoringthe accommodations for this trip.

Aloha, Chuck & Kate!

Child in Haiti searching for clean water

SUPPORT OUR LIFESAVING WORK!

Each year, IRT helps thousands of families andchildren around the world facing desperate

situations. But we can’t do it without you!! Your gifttoday will save lives, and bring hope and healing tosuffering people who need help right now. Pleasesend in your donation today, or make it online at

www.irteams.org.

THANK YOU for your compassion and support!

IRT construction volunteer, Ken McIntyre, in Mississippi

72

Restoring Sight in UgandaContinued from page 1

supplies such as sheets

and blankets” said

IRT’s Program

Director, Rose Uranga,

who accompanied the

team. “It took more

than two years to

plan, organize and

obtain Ugandan

approval for this

project, but the

overwhelming

gratitude of the

patients, many of

whom had lost the

ability to work and to care for their families, made it

all worthwhile”.

According to IRT volunteer, Regina Legge, C.S.T “ Unlike

most of our patients in the U.S. whose needs/wants are

to have better vision to drive, read or perhaps watch T.V.,

the patients in Uganda need to see for life providing

functions such as cooking over open fires, carrying water,

etc. These wonderful people have no sense of

entitlement. Being part of a team that gives them not

only their sight but their livelihood is a phenomenal

experience! The handshake or smile received after

removing an eye patch is the biggest reward.”

Special thanks to The Africa Group, our many medical

suppliers, and those team members who devoted their

time, expertise and financial resources to make this

mission possible: Kelly Hardiman, R.N., Kris Karlen, M.D.,

Regina Legge, C.S.T., Charles Narh, O.T., Evelyn Snyder,

R.N. and Doreen Somers, C.S.T.

I n June, IRT medical volunteers traveled to Cambodiawhere they provided specialized surgical and clinicalservices during a 2-week assignment aboard the USNS

Mercy, a floating 1,000 bed hospital with 10 fullyequipped operating rooms.

IRT was one of only three U.S. based nonprofitorganizations selected to join in this collaborativehumanitarian mission with the U.S. military. Our teamincluded: Medical Director, Therese Rymer, N.P., AmandaGosman, M.D. (Plastic Surgery), Glen Yoshida. M.D.(Otolaryngology), Terry Holbrook, F.N.P. (PrimaryCare), Susanna Rudy, RN (ICU), and Evelyn Snyder,R.N. (OR).

This was IRT’s 3rd assignment aboard the USNSMercy. Last year IRT volunteers also traveled to theSolomon Islands where they provided clinicalservices during a 2-week assignment aboard theUSNS Richard E. Byrd.

IRT volunteers, (l to r) Susanna Rudy, EvelynSnyder, Therese Rymer and Glen Yoshyida, M.D.

IRT Partners with the U.S. Navy to Provide Humanitarian Assistance in Cambodia

The Gala this year promises to be the bestever as IRT celebrates 22 years of providingcritical assistance to victims of disaster,profound poverty and neglect. The proceedsfrom this special fundraising event helpprovide the resources for IRT to continue togive the “gifts of hope” - medical training,surgical outreach, disaster relief and healthpromotion & disease prevention - to thousandsof families worldwide.

The evening will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.with a silent auction filled with uniquetreasures followed by a delicious dinner andexciting live auction. Carol LeBeau will be ouremcee and Steve Hamann will be ourauctioneer! Dancing will immediately followprogram with music provided by “Rockola”.

SAVE THE DATE!IRT will host its

17th Annual

“Gifts of Hope” Galaon Saturday, October 23rd

at the beautiful San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina.

Plan now to attend. Tickets are $155 per person.

Take advantage of our Early Bird discountof $140 per person by mailing in your ticket by October 1.

If you do not receive an invitation and would like to attend,please call our office at

(619) 284-7979.Cambodian patients waiting in line for medical attention

I n 1992 IRT began addressing the

critical issues of eye disease,

cataracts and vision loss through

its surgical and clinical programs that

have now been conducted in nine

countries. Thanks to the generous

support of our volunteers and donors,

this legacy continues. In May, IRT

partnered with The Africa Group (TAG)

to launch its Sight for Life program in

Uganda, a country of extreme poverty and few

medical specialists.

The seven member team, including medical

professionals from California, Colorado and

Virginia, spent eight days performing cataract

surgery and treating eye problems at St.

Anthony’s hospital in the small town of Tororo.

“I have been to many developing countries

over the years, but it is still shocking to me to

witness the profound poverty that exists in the

world. The hospital lacked even the most basic

A publication of International Relief Teams Summer 2010

We WantTo Hear

FromYou!

11

4560 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Suite 2GSan Diego, CA 92120

(619) 284-7979 • 284-7938 faxE-mail: info@irteams.org

www.irteams.org

NON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 2329SAN DIEGO, CA

International Relief Teamsalleviates human suffering by providing

health services and humanitarian assistance to victims of disaster, neglect

and profound poverty worldwide.

IRT is classified as a charitable organizationunder section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Allcontributions and bequests are deductible tothe extent allowed by the law, and can bemade by mail or on-line on our secure

website at www.irteams.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Please direct any comments, questionsor feedback regarding TEAMNews to:

Editor: Susan Callahan,Communications & Development

619/284-7979, scallahan@irteams.org

We Want To Hear From You!

Excellence EfficiencyHHiigghheesstt RRaattiinngg ffrroomm

IInnddeeppeennddeenntt CChhaarriittyy EEvvaalluuaattoorr

FFUUNNDDRRAAIISSIINNGG && AADDMMIINNIISSTTRRAATTIIVVEE 11..9999%%PPRROOGGRRAAMM SSEERRVVIICCEESS 9988..0011%%

Restoring Sight in Uganda

Continued on page 2

“The people had a deep sense of appreciation which touched the very core of my being”

- IRT Volunteer Charles Narh, O.T.

7-Day DreamVacation

IRT is excited to announce a very special

summer drawing for a 7-day vacation at a top-

rated timeshare resort of your choice…plus

$1,000 towards your travel expenses!

The proceeds will support our outreach to

impoverished children throughout the world.

Entry tickets have already been mailed to you.

If you desire additional tickets, call our office

at (619) 284-7979.

*Remember to return your tickets for the September 15th drawing!

Donate Your Vehicle to BenefitINTERNATIONAL RELIEF TEAMS

IT’S TAX DEDUCTIBLE!CARS, BOATS, RVS, AIRPLANES, ETC. Didyou know International Relief Teams isnow able to accept used car donations inCalifornia through the not for profitcorporation, Cars 4 Causes? They handle allthe paper-work, title change, free pick up

and sale of the car. It’s easy, all you need to do is pick up thephone and call 1-800 766-2273. We receive the donation, andyou receive the tax deduction!

INDEED, IT WOULD! In fact, if everyone who receives this newslettergave just $20 per month, we could double the amount of help we presentlygive worldwide.If you find writing a monthly check a hassle, IRT provides a free automaticwithdrawal service whereby your monthly donation is sent to us directlyfrom your bank account.So please join with others in providing the financial foundation we need to continuehelping those who find themselves victims of disaster and poverty.

*Make your donation on line on our secure website at www.irteams.org

You may ask if your $20 per month donationwould really make a difference.