I met her in January and asked about the wonderful work she does in her
NGO: The Fundacion Barraquer. She was leaving to Senegal the next day.
In 2003 Professor Joaquín Barraquer, together with his children, Dr.
Elena Barraquer & Prof Rafael I Barraquer decided to take a further step in
their vocation to help everyone as equals, and instituted the Barraquer
Foundation, in order to provide eye treatment to populations in depressed areas
of the world. That same year, Professor Joaquín Barraquer sold his Mercedes
540K, gift to his father from the King Farouk -of which only three units
were known in the world. The benefits from the sale were the initial capital of
what is now known as Barraquer Foundation.
BelleBarcelone: How did the idea of the foundation was born?
Dr Elena Barraquer: it was a continuation of the idea that my grand
father had given where the people with limited economical resources were
provided the same treatment as the others. We decided to go a step forward and
open up to the world.
BB: In which countries do you go?
Dr EB: Our first mission was to Senegal. And from then on we just carried
on, we are sometimes called by the countries or by different NGO around the
world. We have been to various countries in Africa such as Senegal, Nigeria,
Congo, Cameroun, Gabon. We also have been to Morocco and to Kenya. We have also
gone to India & Bangladesh; and to the Dominican Republic.
BB: What are the factors that could affect these cataracts.
DR EB: There are a lot more of cataracts in those countries due to the
sun & mal nutrition. We have sometimes children also. Those are the most
gratifying when a child who has never been able to see clearly can now see
properly.
BB: Any particular experience, which has marked you?
DR EB: I remember a negative experience where the last patient in Gabon
was left without lenses as the hospital had misplaced them. We couldn’t perform
the surgery. The feeling of helplessness was overpowering.
We have to go through a series of tests for people to qualify for the
operations. The patients with most problems have priority. It is a long
procedure but we are not able to take everyone.
On a positive note, I will always remember this child of 10 years In
Bangladesh who could finally see: he saw the birds flying and said : Pakhi (
bird in Bangladesh). He repeated Pakhi…
In 2015 we had a similar experience with a girl of 15 years in
Angola.
Those are very touching and gratifying moments. We do almost 45 operations per day.
There are
all sorts of moments & emotions in these expeditions.
BB: Is it easy to organize these expeditions?
Dr EB: Not really. We work hand in hand with the government
of the country we go. Sometimes we don’t get authorizations easily. We face
some problems from time to time. Sometimes we have a language barrier like it
happened in Mozambique & Angola. But in general it goes on well. The
airlines are very cooperative with the extra weight due to all the material we
take. We are very grateful to all the collaborators.
BB: How to you get the money for the foundations.
Dr EB: We have sponsors, we get donations from institutions, private
donations, promotional events…
Quickies:
Favorite Movie: The Graduate.
Favorite Movie: The Graduate.
Favorite song: Stairway to
Heaven.
Favorite dish: “ Pies de Cerdo” (
pork’s feet)
Favorite cuisine: Fine Spanish
Cuisine
Favorite chef: Romain
Fornell.
Favorite color: Turquoise
Favorite Holiday: On the beach.
Anywhere on the beach. Fundu Lagoon in Tanzania.
Hobby: Long walks with my dog. I
love listening to music.
