MEDICAL-DENTAL TEAM IN EL SALVADOR

In December 2009, Dr. Tony Brown and I visited El Salvador to search out 5 communities that would benefit from the visit of an FTC Canada Medical-Dental Team planning a trip there for early February 2010. It was not difficult to determine where some of the greatest needs existed. Three communities had been impacted by heavy rains in November 2009 - rain so intense, over a short period of time, that it caused landslides. Landslides that killed!

Many people lost their lives. In one community there was a vacant piece of land where once a house had stood. The large boulders rolling down the hill had destroyed the home, and two crosses erected on the vacant property were a reminder to the community that a grandmother and her young granddaughter were also crushed and killed.

Of the five communities we visited with our medical-dental team in February 2010, three of them had been traumatized by the landslides.

Our trip to El Salvador was a return visit, having spent a week there in October 2009 treating hundreds of people. One notable return visit was to a community of settlers in San Salvador, the capital. A poor community with homes made of whatever material was available, usually tin and cardboard and sometimes wood.

During our February trip over 4,000 people received primary medical attention and hundreds received restorative dental care.

This was our largest team ever – 30 Canadians, supplemented by local doctors and dentists.

Has it been a busy few months? It sometimes sounds trite, but it is true - “it’s what God has called us to do”. I am grateful to the medical and dental professionals and support staff that give of their time and contribute financially to make good things happen for people who otherwise have little or no access to medical and dental treatment; whether in Haiti under emergency conditions, or on a planned team visit to Central America.

Not forgetting, that we would be unable to assist those children and their families without the valuable partnership and support of our donors and prayer partners.

So, have the past several months been normal? Not really. But, we wouldn’t want it any other way. When children and families are being helped, we know God is pleased!

If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch with us.

Ken Dick, C.A.
President, FTC Canada