I have been working in the DVI dental clinic no more than a 9 minute walk away. I have to say that I feel quite at home back in the clinic and enjoy the challenge the children give me. So many cavities to fix! This clinic is SO necessary. I was talking to one of the administrators today - she wanted to promote some of the success stories on our international web site. She thought of a particular one in which a dentist stayed for a month to restore the discoloured front teeth of a Ethiopian child who did't want to smile. I told her that every child we treat IS a success story : from the hygienist who teaches the children how to brush and discusses healthy nutrition with the parents, to the kids we treat , who are in pain and cannot eat properly or concentrate at school .
This week, there are two dentists from France, a dentist from New York and myself. Each of us feels as enthusiastic about the clinic and the importance of it. Whether you can volunteer as a dentist, or help out by way of donations - it all counts to making these children in need, healthier. On my first day I treated a few Arab children, some Jewish kids and an Ethiopian child. We worked from 8 am until 1:30 PM.
I met my gang back at the apartment and after a quick lunch of peanut butter and honey on pita, we headed out to the Old City. I won't detail our travels from this point today as it reminds me of how much walking in this city hurt my legs and feet. But the sites we saw, did make it worth the effort. Needless to say, we have all been sleeping well afterwards.I include a picture of BJ trying on shoes that might actually fit him.
