Student Optometric Service to Humanity (SOSH)

History of SOSH

SOSH was founded in 1968 by Dr. Algernon Phillips during his years as a student at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO).  The original purpose of the organization was to administer eye examinations and to dispense spectacles to the people of Haiti.  In 1986, SOSH expended its scope to provide more comprehensive eye care to people throughout the world.  Over the years, SOSH has traveled to Africa, the Caribbean, and North, South and Central America.  Often, the services that SOSH renders in these regions are the only means of receiving proper eye care.

During the past few years, SOSH has also been a partner in developing a permanent eye clinic in Guatemala, seeing over 18,000 patients and referring approximately 800 for surgery.

What We Do

Optometry student dispenses care.Optometry students at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry prepare for the annual missions through fundraising efforts such as bake sales, sports tournaments, and auctions in addition to external support.  The students of SOSH work diligently to insure the financial feasibility of the missions.

The glasses dispensed on these trips are donated from a variety of sources, including religious organizations, optical companies, doctors, and private individuals.  SOSH relies heavily upon outside support and donations for medical supplies and finances.  Through the generosity of corporations and private donors, SOSH has been able to provide continuous eye care to people in need of its services.

SOSH group on El MaleconTwo weeks at the end of the summer semester, a team of approximately 21 students (20 third-year and 1 second-year students) travels to countries with indescribable poverty and care shortages. Thousands of patients are given complete visual examinations, ocular pathologies are detected and treated or referred if necessary. Eyeglasses are dispensed to the patients as needed. The glasses are collected and processed at PCO and carried to these countries along with all of the other equipment and medications used in the clinics. The project is funded entirely by private contributions and it is the team's responsibility to raise the necessary funding each year. There is no cost to the individual team members.

Immediately following their return from their trip, the 2nd-year officer assumes leadership of SOSH. He/she will have chosen team members from their class by that time which will comprise the next SOSH team. In the spring, a committee from the 2nd year class' SOSH team will choose one member from the 1st year class who will eventually act as President of SOSH for their class and who will travel to the chosen site the following year.

Participation in SOSH begins in the first year by attendance at work nights. You'll meet upper-class persons there, and learn how to neutralize glasses

SOSH member providing care.SOSH rely heavily on donations from caring individuals and organizations.  Monetary, pharmaceutical, and ophthalmic equipment donations are invaluable to our cause. PCO students spend countless hours preparing and fundraising for each mission; however, we de replies on external contributions to help us meet our goal of $50,000.  We hope you find SOSH to be worthy of your donation and we thank you in advance for your consideration.  Print a form to mail a contribution.

For more information email  sosh@pco.edu

Student Optometric Service to Humanity Officers