Richness from within: mission experiences from Nepal
by Heather Calkins
 |
| During the past spring vacation, a group of third-year dental students including Lisa Bozzetti, Pat Rylan, Heather Calkins, Lisa Greene, Rylan Gustafson, and Mary Yoo, led by School of Dentistry Alumnus Delvin Hansen (second from right) and his wife, Joann (seated) teamed up with Adventist Development and Relief Agency–Nepal to provide dental care to the Nepali people. |
A wave of anticipation washed over me as I gazed out the window of our
bus and watched as we climbed high above the lush, green valley. I watched
as women clad in brilliantly colored saris worked in the fields below.
The women gathered grass to feed cows that Hindus believe to be vehicles
of their god, Shiva.
It was our first day out in the villages of the Katmandu
Valley where we provided dental care for people who were in desperate
need. As our bus lumbered to a halt in the village of Shreekhandapur,
a line of patients had already begun to form.
A group of excited schoolchildrenclamored to be the first
to see what was aboard this huge, white bus that intruded into their tranquil
village. As we descended the bus steps, a few shyly smiling children welcomed
us and presented us with bouquets of pink camellias. We were then led
to a tea party that had been prepared for us. My feelings of gratitude
were colored by a tinge of guilt—for accepting gifts from these people
who are so destitute that their average yearly income is only $100.
One would never know, however, that the Nepali people lived
in poverty; the smiles on their faces flowed with such warmth and generosity,
masking any monetary deficiencies that they might have suffered.
Nepal is a small kingdom tucked between India and Tibet.
Though small in size, this country is home to 8 of the 14 highest mountains
in the world including such giants as Lhotse, Annapurna, and, of course,
Mt. Everest. The majestic Himalayas stand watch over the emerald carpet
of the Katmandu Valley, where we spent most of our time in Nepal.
Each of our five working days we traveled to a different village to provide
dental treatment to whoever desired it. Some days our mobile clinic climbed
steep, rugged terrain; other days we crossed rivers to reach our destination.
On our fourth day, the road leading to the school where we were supposed
to set up clinic was closed. Negotiations with the villagers revealed
a vacant barn in town we were able to use. We never knew what the day
would bring, but we were always excited to undertake any new adventure.
Throughout the five days we worked in Nepal, we were able
to see 417 patients. We performed 227 extractions, 156 cleanings, and
71 fillings.
This was due, largely, to the Nepali dental assistants who
worked alongside us throughout our stay providing the necessary link between
dentist and patient.
Because of these hard workers, we were not only able to
communicate with our patients, but learned a great deal about providing
dental care in remote surroundings.
Our time in Nepal, however, was not all work and no play.
We were able to do a day of trekking in the hills near Banepa where we
viewed the beauty of the countryside. We also had the chance to sightsee
in Katmandu. A definite highlight was the opportunity to take a mountain
flight over the Himalayas where we caught a glimpse of the top of the
world—Mt. Everest. Through this mission experience I received much
more than I gave. The Nepalis are a very peaceful people who accept joy
and pain as necessary colors that make up the kaleidoscope of life. They
maintain an optimistic outlook on life, though they are, economically,
some of the poorest people in the world.
Through my interaction with them, I was truly taught that
the richness that matters most comes from within.
Author Heather Calkins is completing her third year
of dental school.
All contents copyright © 2001 Loma Linda University.
All rights reserved. Revised February 14, 2001
Send comments and questions to webmaster@univ.llu.edu
URL: http://www.llu.edu