AYUYDA 2011 - Belize

While I went to freezing cold Utah for spring (winter) break, Mitch went South to Belize for the annual AYUDA trip. This year they spent twelve days in Belize and Guatemala, providing care to locals. (Click here to see last year's trip.) I envy Mitch and the opportunities he's had to serve underprivileged people and under-developed communities through dentistry. I look forward to the days I will get to tag along and provide care as well. I'm not going to let you think he only served, he got a lot of playing in as well. Think shark dives, spear fishing, night snorkeling, Tikal ruins, bike rides, and much more.

The clinics are set up in vacant buildings and they use old military cots, plastic tables, and folding chairs as their operatory. They get to see many more patients and do a lot more procedures in a shorter amount of time than at school - where one appointment may take 4 or more hours. So, not only are they providing a service, but they are getting a ton of experience in a short amount of time.

Dr. Done and a few of the guys - Mark, Josh, Bridger and Luke. Dr. Done was one of the founding members of AYUDA and organizes all the service trips.

Swimming with sharks...lucky dog. If you didn't know, Belize is known for the amazing snorkeling and scuba diving. I'd say Mitch took full advantage of it and saw a ton.

I don't think I'd do well with the Belize food. American chains aren't aloud into Belize, so its local food only. Mitch took a few pictures of the food and let's put it this way, I would have lost some weight. ;)

The spear fishing expedition. I think Mitch said he swam for six hours straight with no luck. His swim suit wouldn't stay put, so he was burned from his behind to his neck. Out of their whole group they only caught 3 fish, but it was still fun and he said he'd do it again. Kyle was the winner of the group catching 2 of the 3 (although the second one looks more like bait). Way to go Kyle!

The whole group!

The 4th years! Now that the old seniors are graduating, Mitch is officially a 4th year dental student. Man, the time flies.

After the clinics, the group boarded two huge busses and traveled to Guatemala to tour the Tikal ruins. They woke up at 4 in the morning to hear the "awakening of the jungle" and were able to climb all the pyramids. Some were insanely steep and unsteady. Mitch said it was amazing, and huge, and only 30% of the ruins have even been discovered. I asked him if he thought it was a Book of Mormon city, and he said most definitely. I mean, doesn't the picture below just scream Samuel the Lamanite?

Mitch had an amazing trip.

And this is just for fun. They found a tarantula in their hotel room (along with a scorpion behind their headboard and a baby viper out front- no joke) and this is the video of them killing it. Listen for Mitch's laugh...it makes me smile every time.

Panama...

As you know, Mitch took a trip with a group from USC down to Panama for the first 10 days of his spring break. He had an amazing experience and took tons of great pictures (over 600)! I had to share some of them with you, and as many of the details I can remember.

You can't visit Panama and not see the Panama Canal! Mitch gave me some interesting facts, which I'll spare you, but said overall it was pretty cool. After a day touring Panama City, they headed out of the city and set up their dental clinics.

I love these photos. The first one of Pehrson showing all the kids pictures and videos of themselves -- something they've never seen before. You can tell by their faces that they thought it was pretty awesome! Second, Mitch handing out Skittles. Each little kid is just waiting around for a few bites of sweetness. How can they live without Skittles?

Would you believe me if I told you these were Cacoa beans? Yep...this is where chocolate comes from. If you can't tell by Pehrson's face, they are pretty bitter at first, but after they ferment for about a week, and then dry out for another week, they finally begin to get their sweet chocolaty flavor. Pretty cool if you ask me!

A few of the cute school kids they worked on. Mitch told me that they only have one pair of shoes, which they wear at school, so they usually walk barefoot to and from school so they don't ruin them. Wow...we have so, so much (most of which we don't need).

The clinics were set up to provide free dental care to the people living in and around the village. This is a great opportunity for students to do procedures they aren't doing yet at school. Mitch was able to administer anesthesia, do restorations, and extractions. It is such a great learning opportunity for the students, but an even better opportunity for the local people to get the services they need.

This little girl is ADORABLE! Look at her sweet, dirty, little fingers cradling those Nibs.
I love that the dental students arrive and immediately start handing out candy to the little kids! That just doesn't seem right! But, the kids were in heaven eating licorice, suckers, and skittles.

Pehrson and Mitch opened up a coconut with a machete and drank the milk...living like the natives!

After the clinic closed, they spent a couple days on an island called Bocas Del Torro. Mitch said it was gorgeous. He said if you want to go somewhere quiet, gorgeous and amazing, and don't care about staying in a nice resort, this would be it. One day he just might have to take me back.



The whole AYUDA group. I am way jealous of this trip. I keep asking Mitch if I can go on the next one...so far its a no go. I'm gonna keep trying though. This is such a great thing he is a part of and I'm really proud of the volunteers and the school for putting together such a great clinic. Next year they get to go to Belize....rough life.