We are quickly becoming accustomed to our schedule here in Jamaica. The alarm goes off at 6:30 am, we are expected downstairs at 7:30. There we meet with the entire group of Great Shape and discuss what is needed and what is expected for the day. Then we break into our teams and gather any supplies that are needed. The great people here at Sandals pack us lunches and drinks for the day! HUGE kuddos to Sandals who allows us to stay here free during our time with Great Shape, as well as feeding us all day and night! We then board our buses for the trek up the mountain. Arriving at the clinic, we are greeted by dozens of locals, all ready to help us carry our supplies inside. Once we are ready, the work begins!
In our clinic, we have 2 doctors (including Brett) and 2 hygienists. Most of our patients are children, for preventative care. Brett and I see all adults for surgeries, or extractions. There is no Xray here, so sometimes these extractions can get very interesting. For example, we had an impacted wisdom tooth that we had to remove, once we began working, we saw that the nerve was wrapped around the root. At home, we would've seen this on an xray. Today Brett and I saw 17 people and extracted 33 teeth, all but one was surgical. Many of these people have never been to the dentist. The clinic we are in, is a prenatal and pediatric clinic every other time of the year. Today was baby check up day! There were babies everywhere!!!! We have a 9 month old baby that Shannon and I pass back and forth, her name is Kierra and she is SO pretty! The clinic is a block away from the school, so the students are brought down by class at different times of the day. The hygienists and the other Dr take care of these kids.
Today when we arrived at our clinic, a local man named Augustus (pronounced AhGOOstss). He is approximately 60 years old, with shoulder length dreadlocks and a long beard. He had a bag full of jewelry that he was selling. Wooden beads, Bamboo beads, and stone were strewn together to make beautiful creations! We all bought some souvenirs from Augustus! Brett and I have a dental nurse, Mrs. Karene Wright, who assist us throughout the day. Mrs. Wright is delightful! She is gruff and no nonsense, and she will straighten out the orneriest of patients, and I absolutely love her! Today she told me she didn't want me to go home with my husband, she said "Mrs. Brett, you stay with me, and we go fast at my clinic, you stay here!".
At lunch, (Which we got to have at 2pm for a half an hour), we walked down to the school to hand out the balls that we brought with us! The school.....wow, how can I describe it. I will attach pictures, but I don't know that it will show the full effect. I was reminded of a hog barn. But the children were so excited to see us! And when they got the balls, oh my, they were thrilled! Immediately they began arguing over who got to hold the ball. The girls decided to form a circle and toss the ball, the boys were doing something that involved physical aggression!
For those who thought this would be a vacation, let me set the record straight! We are working in 100 degree heat, in a stone building with a tin roof. We do not stop, we do not sit down. I have been on the beach for about 10 minutes total. We get to eat dinner at around 8pm. To make matters worse, our beds have bugs in them that are making a meal out of my legs! I look like I've been on Survivor!
However, this experience has been so joyful! I'm looking forward to coming back next year to see the same people. I am already sad at the thought of waiting an entire year to see them. I have collected addresses and plan to write and send gifts as often as I can! It is so obvious that we are making a real difference in these people's lives. These people have nothing. To come and have these teeth taken care of, that have clearly been infected for years, and then to be handed a bag with a toothbrush and paste, everyone is so thankful! They give hugs at the end of their appointment!
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