Outreach
Richness
from within: mission experiences from Nepal
Heather Calkins
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| During the past spring vacation, a group of third-year dental students, pictured, from left: Lisa Bozzetti; Rylan Gustafson; Lisa Greene; Heather Calkins; and Mary Yoo, led by School of Dentistry Alumnus Delvin Hansen and his wife, Joann, 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 the 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 schoolchildren clamored 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 hear 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 enlightening 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.
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After traveling to Nepal, Heather Calkins, SD’02, writes about her experiences. |
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