Aloha Medical Mission is a team of dentists from Honolulu, Hawaii who travel on several medical mission trips each year to far away countries to serve those in need. Â Here is a story of their most recent trip:
Three and one half hours of bumpy dirt roads, endless switchbacks along steep mountain edges, we finally arrive at our remote destination located 7200 feet above sea level. Â Steam poured out from our mouths in the frigid, thin air as we huffed and puffed to take our baggage off the roofs of our 4-wheeled drive vehicles. Â Breathtaking snow capped Himalayan mountains and a dense silent forest surrounds us. Â We are in Chispani-Shivaprui, Nepal.
The locals enthusiastically and warmly greet us with flowered leis, tikka (ceremonial red dye on our foreheads) and a local pastry served on a woven leaf plate.
There are no dentists in Chisapani-Shivarpuri. Â Many of the locals have never met an American before. Â It is not unusual for school children to walk 2-3 hours to school and then walk 2-3 hours back home each day. Â Their school uniforms are old and have needles to hold their shirts on in place of the broken buttons. Their shoes/sandals are old and worn. Â Their faces are beautiful, warm and filled with laughter and curiosity. Â Their spirit exudes with humbleness, appreciation and “down to earthiness”
Their teeth are horrible. Â Many of the children don’t know what dental decay is, even though they have a mouthful of decayed teeth.
In the 5 1/2 days we were in Nepal, our Aloha Medical Mission (AMM) dental team of 4 dentists and 4 auxiliaries saw 791 patients (including 273 children!), performed 336 dental extractions, did 502 dental fillings and 621 dental scalings.
Not surprisingly, there are no toy stores in Chisapani-Shivapuri. Â When the children were given the Dollies and Teddy Bears we brought from Dollies Making A Difference (DMAD), some of them were shy about receiving them. Â Once they were convinced that it was alright to keep them as their very own, their smiles could have lit up the dark Nepali nights! Â They would bring their hands together as in prayer and sweetly say, “NAMASTE”.
AMM has been privileged to work with DMAD over the last few years. Â It makes me so proud and blessed to have been associated with DMAD. Â You have brightened so many children’s spirits around the world with your unique gifts that were made with so much love.
Much Mahalo,
NAMASTE
Dean Sueda, DDS
