Ok, so of course while I like to think I could, I didn’t do all of this single handedly. We had a team from Toronto that did the cle
aning and dentistry. Needless to say I´ve been saying ”eh” without even realizing it. While the three hygienists cleaned teeth that have never been exposed to a scraper, or whatever the technical word for that thingy is, I entertained them with a fun review playing musical chairs and “hot potato”. My role was also logistics, my forte, although I am rethinking proclaiming this after this experience. This was a success on so many levels. First, the kids who really needed fillings and root canals either got them this week or are on a list to be seen. Second, the kids were amazing. Some were scared at first, but only because in the land of Honduras all they do is pull teeth, not fix them, so that is what the kids are used to. After I assured them the hygienists certainly weren’t going to pull, and if they were sent t
o the dentist he would only pull if absolutely necessary, they were very willing and so well behaved. One kid, Alex, had to go to the dentist 3 days in a row for various treatments, all in all valuing over $4,000. He showed up every day with a smile on his face. Even if that was the only kid that was helped during my entire service it would be worth it, but the great thing is that there are so many more being helped. One of the women with the team asked me a question that had been keeping her up at night one evening over a well-deserved cocktail, “Is it worth it? I know we are here teaching them how to take care of their teeth and that’s great, but are our efforts for naught; do you really think they will continue what we have been showing them?” My response, “If one child does it, it’s worth it”. This is the philosophy that has been keeping me going, advice given to me by my dear friend Susan, a missionary here in El Porvenir.Speaking of Susan, animal love
r and proud owner of Cha Cha the white-faced monkey, I now come to the “got bit by a monkey” part of my intro. So, it was a peaceful day, the breeze was blowing, the sun was shining and I decided it was the perfect day to introduce myself to Cha Cha. She loved me….at first. She climbed up my arm and snuggled my neck and petted my arm, and then, she turned. Teeth sunk into my arm as if I were a prime cut of meat. Susan did what she could but Cha Cha stood strong. As I contemplated my escape it was an eternity before Susan got a hold of her long enough for me to flee for the door. So I didn’t make a new friend that day, but the good news is I didn’t contract rabies either. How many of you can say you got bit by a monkey, pretty cool, eh?
(Abuelito Encillas) Grandpa Gums is the star of our puppet show, a skit teaching kids about the importance of dental care, protection from the sun, washing hands, etc. Along with that we give out toothbrushes and do fluoride treatments. The great thing is we go back every year for a review, so hopefully something sticks, and I don’t mean the plaque on their teeth! An adjunct to our eye acuity exams is discovering problems that have nothing to do with dental or optical health. Ana, a six year old sweetie pie was up for her eye exam when someone from our team asked about what look
ed like a burn on her neck. Well, a burn it was not, but a horrible skin disease that the girl has lived with since she was four months old. We sent for her father who permitted us to take some photos to show a dermatologist. Ana lifted her shirt and skirt and, to my dismay, uncovered sores all over her body, the worst of which we were informed was in places not suitable to be shown in public. Remember what I said about just one child? What a testament to that philosophy!Now the fun stuff! Trujillo, aka heaven, is a beautiful coastal to
wn with a bay bound beach. The water is clean and clear and there are no tourists! Picture 80 degrees, sun shining, waves lapping at our feet on the shore, cold drink in hand, and a view of the mountains on either side of the bay, man o man, it just doesn’t get better than that. 
One of our volunteers works with Habitat for Humanity in La Ceiba and invited us along to help build a house for a family. It was great fun, a good workout and now I know a little more about mixing concrete and making walls out of concrete blocks. If anyone needs a house built, I`m your girl, well not really, but I can help!
There is a wildlife reserve called Cuero y Salado in a nearby town which we visited recently. You drive to a little train, just one car really, which takes you to a little motor boat. From there you go up a river into a series of channels to find wildlife. We saw howler monkeys, bats and a baby crocodile. Sometimes manatees are spotted. It’s a peaceful place with mangroves,
birds and vines all over the place. Just to be out on the water was a treat. Our guide apparently spoke monkey because he would hoo hoo hoo and the monkeys would reply. One of the women from the Canadian team tried and they didn’t respond. I told her they must not have understood her Canadian accent.By the way, that`s Dr. Bill Kerr the dentist and I in the photo, not the monkeys. 
