I don't have pictures of today because they are all on my camera, we are using phones to write this.
Today a team of about 12 went an hour and a half up into the mountains. Literally the most beautiful place I have ever been. But we worked in a four room building with no electricity. I was in charge of sterilizing instruments, which without power is done by what is called "cold sterol" but I manned that station to the best of my ability and managed not to get too much on me!
We saw about 80 patients in those four rooms and took out over 100 teeth. We were pulling because there are no other options for most of these people. I saw some pretty black teeth on The trays. For the most part all the patients were troopers! Even the babies! Everyone was so happy too, but from the looks of the teeth coming out they must have been in a lot of pain.
One of the coolest things I saw today was one of our team mates took the time to educate the people there on the importance of teeth brushing and trying to care for their mouths.
As a public health person I was stoked. ( nope I'm not a school teacher! Surprise for some I'm sure) I would LOVE to be able to come back and do health education and develop ways to maintain the work that is done by not just this group but all groups. The village we were at has already had a lot of work done for their water purification which is HUGE for their overall health and well being.
Today was insane. (in a good way). I have never been apart of anything like that before and still can't believe I did it.
Crazy crazy crazy! I'll post pictures when I get back to the states.
-Marie
Monday, February 4, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Sonrisas
Please please please check them out! They really are the focus and only reason we are here.
Sonrisasseimpre.org.
These people are amazing and we are meeting life long friends. Each and every one of them are busting their butt to help the people here and to save their smiles. Many have already made comments that kids are coming back with healthier teeth and fewer problems. This just goes to show you how dedicated to education and making a change they are. Really exciting to know that these people who come each year for only a week are using their time to the fullest and making a difference.
So much work and planning goes into this mission trip.
Thank you Tom Blake and Steve Ellinwood for bringing this opportunity and your expertise to the people here.
And everyone else, check out their website and read their blog and let's show them the same love and praise. (it's hot down here, they deserve it!!!)
Sonrisasseimpre.org.
These people are amazing and we are meeting life long friends. Each and every one of them are busting their butt to help the people here and to save their smiles. Many have already made comments that kids are coming back with healthier teeth and fewer problems. This just goes to show you how dedicated to education and making a change they are. Really exciting to know that these people who come each year for only a week are using their time to the fullest and making a difference.
So much work and planning goes into this mission trip.
Thank you Tom Blake and Steve Ellinwood for bringing this opportunity and your expertise to the people here.
And everyone else, check out their website and read their blog and let's show them the same love and praise. (it's hot down here, they deserve it!!!)
Day 2
Well we just back from our second day here. This morning we finished set up in the clinic and did more screening. This afternoon we spent at an orphanage in La Paz.
La Paz is very small, maybe 20 children and ran by a woman and a few volunteers. Most of the children there are between 6 and 10, with the exception of a very sassy little 2 year old who stuck her tongue out at James and was deemed Miss sassy pants.
We got a tour of the orphanage which to say was humbling would be an understatement. Yet despite their poverty these children were so happy. I mean, they have nothing. Some don't have shoes, they all share a room and for the most part have to take baths outside BUT they are so freaking happy! A lesson kids in the States can learn for sure!
After our tour (which was very fast because it was small) we got to give the kids what we brought. Most people brought toys but James and I brought about 30-40 of the books. (yea us!). James started to hand them out and the kids went nuts! Each kid wanted one and then as soon as they had one they sat right down and started to read. I have never seen anything like it. We, of course, left any extra books with the Sister to add to their library. We could not help but feel over whelmed by how happy they were. I teared up a bit then jumped on the floor to play and read with them. Today was not a cry day it was a play day! So that's what we did.
Tomorrow is going to be a little crazy, James is assisting the dentists during the first day of patient care in the clinic and I am headed up into the mountains to sterilize instruments and help with teeth extraction. Wish me luck as I put on my big girl pants and industrial gloves.
Thank you Tom Blake for today and the experiences you are allowing us to have this week. We are some very thankful gophers.
Well now it's time for a shower (James got very dirty playing with the kids), a beer, food, and the Super Bowl! Yea were watching from down here.
Tomorrow I will convince James to write too.
Till later....
-Marie (with the big girl pants on)
La Paz is very small, maybe 20 children and ran by a woman and a few volunteers. Most of the children there are between 6 and 10, with the exception of a very sassy little 2 year old who stuck her tongue out at James and was deemed Miss sassy pants.
We got a tour of the orphanage which to say was humbling would be an understatement. Yet despite their poverty these children were so happy. I mean, they have nothing. Some don't have shoes, they all share a room and for the most part have to take baths outside BUT they are so freaking happy! A lesson kids in the States can learn for sure!
After our tour (which was very fast because it was small) we got to give the kids what we brought. Most people brought toys but James and I brought about 30-40 of the books. (yea us!). James started to hand them out and the kids went nuts! Each kid wanted one and then as soon as they had one they sat right down and started to read. I have never seen anything like it. We, of course, left any extra books with the Sister to add to their library. We could not help but feel over whelmed by how happy they were. I teared up a bit then jumped on the floor to play and read with them. Today was not a cry day it was a play day! So that's what we did.
Tomorrow is going to be a little crazy, James is assisting the dentists during the first day of patient care in the clinic and I am headed up into the mountains to sterilize instruments and help with teeth extraction. Wish me luck as I put on my big girl pants and industrial gloves.
Thank you Tom Blake for today and the experiences you are allowing us to have this week. We are some very thankful gophers.
Well now it's time for a shower (James got very dirty playing with the kids), a beer, food, and the Super Bowl! Yea were watching from down here.
Tomorrow I will convince James to write too.
Till later....
-Marie (with the big girl pants on)
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Special thanks
We just wanted to give a quick shout out to those that helped James and I get down here...
Smith Academy Students
Ward Students
Jada Tippman for her great video
Libby and Tim Owens
We could not be here without you!
-James and Marie
Smith Academy Students
Ward Students
Jada Tippman for her great video
Libby and Tim Owens
We could not be here without you!
-James and Marie
Day 1
Today we helped set up our clinic at the Lions club.
The dentists did evaluations on kids from a few orphanages.
Then we all went out for an amazing Honduran lunch.
Our bags came! So now we can do an evaluation of our books and really see what we have. So far we have a few options of where they can go. One of the doctors here, Dr Scott, is in the process of adopting a little girl from an orphanage here and we can't wait to get a few books in her hands and some of the other kids there. It also looks like we will be able to do a work day there to help them catch up on cleaning and painting.
Tomorrow we have more construction to finish up the clinic for Monday morning.
On a different note we were able to go to downtown Comayagya and site see. James and I went on a bell tower tour of a church with the oldest working clock!
It was a great place to site see. I still can't get over how pretty the view is here. We are completely surrounded by mountains.
Stay tuned....a lot more to come as patients come into the dental clinic and we get to travel to the mountains. And oh ya! Build a library!!!!!!
The dentists did evaluations on kids from a few orphanages.
Then we all went out for an amazing Honduran lunch.
Our bags came! So now we can do an evaluation of our books and really see what we have. So far we have a few options of where they can go. One of the doctors here, Dr Scott, is in the process of adopting a little girl from an orphanage here and we can't wait to get a few books in her hands and some of the other kids there. It also looks like we will be able to do a work day there to help them catch up on cleaning and painting.
Tomorrow we have more construction to finish up the clinic for Monday morning.
On a different note we were able to go to downtown Comayagya and site see. James and I went on a bell tower tour of a church with the oldest working clock!
It was a great place to site see. I still can't get over how pretty the view is here. We are completely surrounded by mountains.
Stay tuned....a lot more to come as patients come into the dental clinic and we get to travel to the mountains. And oh ya! Build a library!!!!!!
Friday, February 1, 2013
Welcome to Honduras.
Well, we made it! We are a few bags short and of course it is james and I's clothes! Most of the books went through and all the dental supplies, so in the spirit of being positive I am going to say that is all that matters and we can figure the rest out later.
We are all checked into our hotel which is beautiful! And the people are so very nice. Tomorrow we hit the ground running getting the main clinic all set up to start seeing patients.
The picture is James (so now you have a visual) right after we landed, and the school bus is our ride for the week! Pretty fancy of you ask me.
But for right now it's off to dinner for some food and a cold one....good night everyone....hi mom!
-Marie
We are all checked into our hotel which is beautiful! And the people are so very nice. Tomorrow we hit the ground running getting the main clinic all set up to start seeing patients.
The picture is James (so now you have a visual) right after we landed, and the school bus is our ride for the week! Pretty fancy of you ask me.
But for right now it's off to dinner for some food and a cold one....good night everyone....hi mom!
-Marie
Really on the way now!
It's quarter to four in the morning and we are heading to the airport! Mixed emotions of excitement and nerves on top of two nights in a row of only a few hours of sleep are going to make for an interesting morning. Our first challenge of the trip will be to get all our bags checked and paid for. Thanks to all those who donated to pay for the over-weight charges for our bags.
I can't believe the day is here! This is going to be an adventure for sure, stay tuned...
-Marie
I can't believe the day is here! This is going to be an adventure for sure, stay tuned...
-Marie
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