JAMAICA 2004
Montego Bay, Jamaica was the destination for Mission Jamaica, which was a two-pronged mission trip in March 2004. Dr. Egner and 29 other team members from all over the United States came to help build a new building at Westhaven Children’s Home and to bring medical and dental treatment to the poor in Montego Bay.
One team went to Westhaven Children’s Home daily and worked on a new cottage for the kids. These children are all disabled, mentally and/or physically, and will most likely spend most of their lives in the Home. There are four cottages now and already need for another one. Some team members helped with daily care of the children and others worked on the foundation for the new building and placed rebar for a footing.
There were two dentists, a hygienist, an internist, two nurses, two pharmacy technicians and various helpers who held medical/dental clinics for three days at St. John’s Methodist Church Community Center. Over 100 dental patients and over 300 medical patients were seen, adults and children. Medical and dental care is available in Montego Bay, but charges are similar to the U.S. with incomes only a small fraction of ours. There is one dentist for every 30,000 Jamaicans.
Everyone agreed that they received more than they gave; the beauty of the country, the kindness and hospitality of the Jamaicans, the smiles of the children, the satisfaction that, at least for a time, a few people are without pain and their health is improved, the children’s caretakers got a much-needed break in their routine and can look forward to more room for more children, and we all got a welcome break in our routine and were given the opportunity to help some people.
| Picture 1 At the gate of the children’s home |
| Picture 2 Footing for the new cottage |
| Picture 3 Resident of Westhaven |
| Picture 4 Resident of Westhaven |
| Picture 5 Medical/Dental Team at St. John’s |
| Picture 6 Dr. Egner at work |
| Picture 7 Michelle, the hygienist, cleans a boy’s teeth |
Picture 8 Dental clinic (with Dorothy, our helper) |
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