After hurricanes Irma and Maria hit St John, people from elsewhere were discouraged from going to the island until things could be restored. Housing and groceries were at a shortage because rescue teams who came to island to help and the locals were needing those resources.
So right about this time, I was approached to go on another dental mission trip to Haiti and was happy to go. Nehemiah Vision Ministries in Chambrun had been busy building a new facility to house dental and medical and so we would now have air conditioning! You have no idea what a difference that makes when the average temperature is in the 90s with 90% humidity! Also, chickens would not be coming through the windows 😂 ( see my previous blogs/pictures about previous trips to Haiti)
Luckily, this time no flight delays and we arrived in Haiti with all our luggage and dental supplies. After about 4 checkpoints, we made it outside to our bus provided by the mission.
This was very appreciated since riding the tap-tap (local open air safari bus) can be quite harrowing 😰. The drivers tend to drive fast with people hanging on the sides if seats aren’t available and the trip is a good 30 minutes to Chambrun.
When we arrive, we settle into our bunk spaces and make our way to see the new dental building.
Joining us on this trip is Roberto Loar, pediatric dentist and extra hand, Kim, from Indianapolis to help with sterilization and assistance 🥰. This is a fantastic addition since patients will be lined up outside before dawn.
Kim, Roberto, Scott, me and Anita
We get a sneak peak of the new dental facility and we are so excited!!
Roberto bought and donated a Cavitron scaling device for me to use on our patients!!!!!😍 This means I’ll be able to see twice as many patients per day🥲
There’s also a new X-ray machine for us to use to diagnose interproximal decay to treat with fillings and root structures for extractions. Some molar roots are curved and it’s good to know before spending time trying to twist it out!
Next day and all the following days for a week, we start at 8 am and work until 6-7 pm. We go as late as there are patients waiting to be seen. The cooks save us dinner then we take a nice cold shower . No hot water heaters here but it feels good!!! In the evening, we play games. The host family on the premises taught us how to play ‘Pandemic’ (yes, ironic)
We are thrilled to be in the new facility and with this new equipment, we are able to do so much more for our patients. Look at this transformation.
This patient would never smile because he was so embarrassed of his teeth. And he was one of many who were helped that week. It’s such gratifying work to be able to give to those in need who are so, so grateful.
Drs’ Roberto and Scott doing triage to determine those with the greatest need with Nurse Brooke doing interpreting.
One afternoon when we were able to get done a little bit earlier, we and the nurses from medical were able to go into the village to see some the families living there and kids from the orphanage. When we start to approach the village, the kids come running!
We are humbled by their smiling faces and open arms. Life is so difficult in Haiti beyond what most people could conceive. Living in huts with dirt floors, community outdoor shower, lack of food and clean water. All the things we take for granted in our lives in the United States like safe affordable housing, the ability to even grow our own food which is almost impossible in Haiti because of their hard ground.
On our last day, we went to the Port- au-Prince outskirts and bought some handmade items to help support the locals.
And went to a celebration dinner
We had served a record number of patients so it was time to celebrate! We look a bit worn out but it was good type of tired.
Haiti will always have a special place in my heart. When I am there, everything is put into a perspective of what is truly important. I come home with a greater appreciation of how very blessed I am!
Traveling Rose in St. John 