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MEDICAL, DENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICE PROJECT
FROM JULY 26 TO AUGUST 4, 2002
COUNTRY: ECUADOR
Esmeraldas, Ecuador - Medical, Dental and construction August, 30 2002
Medical and Dental Expedition
August 28th- Sept. 10th , 2002
International Project Director: Dr. Washington Zambrano
Assistant Project Directors: Gordon Carter, Juliana Hill, Janette Stevens
This expedition was indeed a success 225 patients were
attended either by acupuncture, dentistry, or a
medical doctor. The service team worked together
efficiently and with warm hearts and great attitudes.
Much was accomplished. This particular expedition is
actually a combined effort of numerous service trips,
Centro De La Experiencia Del Adulto Mayor, Loretto,
Camarones, the ward of San Juan in Quito, the House
and Home San Francisco, Guaranda, a trip to the
Bishop´s storehouse, and a trip to the woman´s
international prison.
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After a great breakfast, the volunteers constisting of
the first four CAF volunteers from the USA, (the
siblings Rachel and Bart Carter staying for two weeks,
and Juliana Hill and Janette Stevens, the first long
term volunteers staying for four months) Dr.
Washington Zambrano, and his daughter Anita headed to
the first service site around 9:00. Being called
Centro De la Experiencia Del Adulto Mayor, this
particular site was mainly for the elderly. Meeting
one other dentist, Juan Carlos, and a nurse, Gina, the
service team was ready for work. Two makeshift dental
offices were arrected. The ladies worked steadily and
efficiently checking patients vital signs, keeping
records, assisting the dentists, and cleaning
equipment, while the three gentlemen went to work
striving to relieve the pain of many of the patients
and restore their teeth, or remove them as necessary.
Working hard from 9-5:30, 43 patients were able to be
attended. The service team left feeling exhausted, but
relieved and happy at a job well done. Besides just
the service, some other highlights were added as humor
abounded at the languages striving to be exchanged and
understood. The North Americans had a great time and
learned quickly to adapt to the fast paced service
given and different dental techniques. The other
volunteers were incredibly patient teaching as they
went the needed skills and techniques used here in
Ecuador. A wonderful feast of numerous fruits and
vegetables was also provided for the service team.
They were recieved with much warmth, welcome, and
gratitude. The first part of our expedition was a
success.
The next project began on Aug. 31st in Quito Ecuador.
The team consisted of 31 volunteers, 29 from CAF and 2
from OSSO. There were the dentists, Bart, Dr.
Zambrano, Patricio. The Orthodontist Monica, the
acupuncturist, Dr. Qin, and the Medical Doctor, Dr.
Miranda. Other volunteers included the three guys that
helped with set up, directing volunteers, protecting
the medical equipment and vehicles, Jose, Alejandro,
and Carlos. The Americans, Rachel, Juliana, and
Janette who helped dental assisting, cleaning
equipment, directing the patients, as well as playing
with the wonderful children at the orphanage and
sharing games and songs in the down time during lunch.
Then their was the rest of the Zambrano family (except
Juan who is in the USA) Maria, Anita, Josue, and
Mattius, who helped direct, interpret, cook, clean,
and help reassure the children going in for dental
care. We also had, Juanita, Monica, Elizabath,
Natalie, and others who helped direct, cook, clean,
and pass out awards to the brave children finished
with their dental-medical appointment. Lastly we had
our two OSSO volunteers Chrystal and Dillion Steed who
worked with us until Sunday and flew back to Quito.
They were a great addition, Dillion speaking fluent
spanish helped interpret and also assisted the
dentists´. Chrystal kept the expedition on track by
assisisting with all the paper work and necessary
information before the exams were possible. All in
all, it was a great team that helped make possible, 7
acupuncture visits, 39 medical exams, and 44 dental
exams.
We left Quito at 3:30 with a large bus and three
private vehicles piled high with supplies and
volunteers ready to work. We eventually arrived at the
orphanage Loretto Esmeraldas at about 10:30 after
having to stop to push the bus and then simply stop to
replace the damaged battery. We were all tired adn
were truly grateful for the nights meat and the clean
and neat beds ready to be slept in. After a quick
meeting preparing for the morning we headed to bed and
slept great!
We awoke in the morning and had a great breakfast. We
then met again as a group divided into teams and got
to work setting up. Benches were aligned for the
waiting patients outside along with the portable
dental chair. The small rooms provided were arranged
to accomadate the dental, acupuncture and medical
patients. Some difficulties arose as the line grew and
the need for another portable dental chair and doctor
became apparent, but the service team continued to
work as quickly as possible, and eventually all the
patients were able to be seen.
Leaving Esmeraldas that evening, the crew drove to
Camarones for some more service and also a chance to
walk on the beach. Although much needed, the dental
service was not possible because a power source was
lacking. Although this trip was definitely not a
failure because 46 more patients were able to be seen
by Dr. Qin and Dr. Miranda. The rest of the crew had a
much needed break and hit the beach just at sunset.
The three boys and two American girls had a great time
racing along the beach and then simply jumping in.
Finding the accomodations lacking, everyone except Dr.
Zambrano, Dr. Qin, and Dr. Miranda headed back to the
orphanage for the night. On Sunday, the cars were
loaded and a crew headed to church which was quite
enjoyable and wonderful. After church the group headed
to Atacames where a great lunch was enjoyed at
Walfredos with incredibly fish and the best shrimp in
all of North and South America being served. Simply
and incredibly DELICIOUS! Problems arose however as
the bus was out of commission and new arrangements
needed to be made. After some time at the beach the
crew checked into a hotel with half of the doctors
headed home and the three guys and the Carter siblings
taking the night bus with some supplies back to Quito.
Before the crew split up though, a break down session
occured with some very tender feelings being shared
about service, examples, and the dream we are helping
expand here in Ecuador. It was definitely a highlight
to the trip and very memorable. Songs were also sung,
goals shared, needs discussed, all while on top of the
hotel roof eating watermelon and enjoying the view.
On Monday, the rest of the crew had a much needed and
enjoyable break on the beach running in the waves,
eating pina colada ice cream, sipping pina juice,
taking a boat whalewatching, ect. This was a
particularly enjoyable time for Juliana (who got her
hair braided along with the other young girls) and
also for Janette (who found a sand volleyball game and
joined right in), it was the first time for these two
American girls to really see the relaxed culture of
Ecuador. Some of the other relaxed highlights included
Maria Zambrano teaching the girls how to Salsa, some
time at the hotel pool, and some great meals!(not to
mention the wonderful hospitality of the hotel
managers who let us use thier facilities to cook, and
also gave Juliana a C.D. with ¨her song¨on it.) All in
all this part of the expedition was very rewarding
through service, included some fun, but also opened
our eyes to the need of a minibus for the volunteers,
a generator, more volunteers, and also another
portable dental chair.
Other parts of this expedition include trips to the
orphanage House Home San Francisco where milk, toys,
blankets, and other goods were distributed as well as
a visit to an international Women´s Prison where
needed feminine and hygein supplies were given. A trip
was also made to the Bishop´s strorehouse packing
sugar and beans for distribution.
The last part of the expedition included dental
service for the San Juan Ward (45 patients being seen
by Dr. Zambrano assisted by Juliana, Janette, and
Anita.) As well, as a brief trip with Maria, Janette
and Juliana to Guaranda where food, clothing and
toothbrushes will be given to some of the local
people.
This trip was truly a success, helping over 220 people
and touching the hearts of the volunteers and the
patients. It also opened everyones eyes to the great
neccessities still needed to truly run smoothly,
expand, and even be more successful. (a minibus, more
volunteers, a generator, and a portable dental chair.)
This team of volunteers truly helped dreams come true
and miracles happen to people who wouldn´t be able to
afford it otherwise. They are truly hero´s! Thanks to
everyone who helped. Those who volutneered and those
in Idaho, Utah, Washington, and Oregon for their
selfless donations of supplies and money that added to
the trip and especially to Dr. Zambrano and his family
who headed up the trip and made it possible. Once
again more heroes have been added to the Large Book of
True Heroes. Thanks everyone.
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