Fiji mission trip brings wealth of beauty by Periza Zaninovic, SD'00   Alisi, a Fiji native and former heart patient of the LLU Children's Hospital, received pediatric dental care from Periza Zaninovic, SD'00.   Aqua-blue and turquoise-green, spotted with sandy brown patches as far as the eye can see. School work, patients and paper work seem so far away, yet it had only been 11 hours since we left LAX en route to Vanu Levu, the second largest island of Fiji. As we walk out of the airplane into the inviting sun and pleasant breeze, warm smiles and bright leis greet us. The ladies from Nainini village were up the night before, preparing a feast for our arrival. As soon as the rest of the 85-member group arrived in several different chartered airplanes, we were off on a two-hour bus ride through the tropical bush, en route to Vatuvonu, the local Seventh-day Adventist elementary school.   Calvin Kim and Kenneth Khoo, both SD'00, did restorative dentistry in the new dental clinic at Vatuvono Adventist School, Fiji.   Our large group, mainly from southern California and Nebraska, was led by Dr. Ralph Perrin, LLU dean of student affairs, and consisted of medical, dental and construction teams. The first week we were inundated by patients from surrounding villages and islands. The medical-dental crew was soon hard at work in the library and one of the classrooms. The first weekend, we had the privilege of attending the official inauguration of a beautiful new medical clinic. The clinic was equipped with several exam rooms, a surgical area and four dental operatories, a few of them with spectacular views of swaying palm trees and Buca Bay. Several government officials were present at the ceremony, where we were all dressed in colorful sulus (wrap around skirts) that had been presented to us earlier that day.   The medical and dental clinic inauguration at Vatuvono, Buca Bay, Fiji. Islanders are bringing tokens of appreciation. The clinic building is behind the buri reception area.   While we were there, no one could escape the warm and inviting nature of the Fijians. The local women came and volunteered their time to make every meal a banquet, during which they would talk and sing to us. The kids attending the school and from the neighboring village were always ready to help work or play. Many times after a long day of work we would be greeted with a warm "Bula!" (hello in Fijian), and a few shells that they had collected for us during the day, or some dry palm leaf baskets or hats. In the cool evenings, many people would relax on the pier, the beach, or the stairs near the school and sing, talk and laugh with the local kids or even enjoy a great match of "drop." Fijians love to sing, but the children are by far the best I have every heard; they sing with all their heart and soul. During the second week, we had a Fijian talent show in the middle to the campus, where many of them sang in groups or in solo performances. The group who ministered to Fijians included medical and dental students from LLU, and a volunteer construction crew from northern and southern California, plus Union College in Nebraska. Melissa Nelsen, SD'99, treats a patient in Fiji. One of the benefits of having such a large group is that we were able to work shifts on certain days, and take time off to do some sight seeing. Different groups explored a cave filled with human bones remaining from their history of cannibalism, or went snorkeling or diving. Fiji is known as the soft coral capital of the world. We soon found out why, after diving in the Rainbow Reef, filled with more vibrant-colored coral and fish than I knew existed! At the end of our stay, it was hard to say good-bye to the small piece of paradise and its people. Even though we treated more than 300 patients and saved just as many teeth as we extracted, I still feel I received much more than I gave and am so grateful for the unforgettable experience. University | Medical_Center | LLU&MC_home | Search | Employment | News_&_events | Academics | Our_mission | Admissions | Registration | Research | Alumni | Student_resources All contents copyright © 2001 Loma Linda University. All rights reserved. Revised February 28, 2001 Send comments and questions to webmaster@univ.llu.edu  URL: http://www.llu.edu