On Luggage and Lessons!

Dr. Hardy Limeback, Associate Professor and Head of Preventive Dentistry at the University of Toronto has two tips he would like to share.

Hardy discussed our trip with a colleague in California who makes regular trips to Equador to train local dentists and provide volunteer dental services. One piece of advice he received pertains to luggage. Even though we are restricted to two "free" pieces of luggage, the cost to pay for extra pieces of luggage is minimal compared to the overall cost of the trip (that is if they will permit us to take more luggage at extra cost).

Hardy is diligently working on his Spanish by joining a free website that links people who want to learn new languages. They provide free Spanish lessons and you "make friends" with others who are fluent in Spanish who then help you learn. It’s called Livemocha (http://www.livemocha.com/)

The website promotes connecting with "native speakers around the world" and invites you to "improve at your own pace." Thanks Hardy for sharing!

Celebrating the talents of our mission workers!

What is remarkable about our journey so far, is the way we leverage the talents of our team. For example, Sarah Beard has begun providing Spanish lessons at each meeting. Sarah is a first year student at the University of Toronto and a veteran mission volunteer. I had the privilege of working with Sarah on one of the two film teams in Kenya. She developed firm arm muscles - and an even steelier patience - hoisting our boom mike to record interviews. "Estoy contento" or I am happy to see us sharing and benefiting from these previously unknown gifts of our mission colleagues.

HIV and Children’s Orphanage, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Although HIV/AIDS has not reached epidemic proportions in Bolivia, the occurrence of HIV is rising in Cochabamba among the population of people aged 15–24. Some AIDS orphans are adopted by grandparents or other extended family-members, but many are left without any support. Our team is going in to help establish this new centre - arriving with big hearts, a toolkit of creative activities to stimulate the little ones and the flexibility to change the best laid plans at the last minute.

Dental Team, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

As a South American priest said recently, “oral health care is one of the areas where children receive little help. Factors for this include a lack of money, a lack of awareness among parents, and even fears of going to the dentist. So primary oral health care is a priority need.” The team will be offering clinics in Santa Cruz and one three day clinic in an outlying village. The team is planning to leave a donated portable dental chair for future use by Bolivian dentists. So your financial donations are greatly appreciated for this and other dental supplies.

Medical Team, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

With a per capita income of $2,800—as compared to an average of $8,200 for other Latin American countries—Bolivia stands as the poorest nation on the continent. Furthermore, real GDP per capita in Bolivia is less today than it was 27 years ago, while 64 percent of the country lives below the poverty line. These conditions leave numerous Bolivian citizens unable to plan for the future, afford adequate health care, receive an education, or address fundamental social issues such as inequality. The team will be offering clinics in Santa Cruz and one three day clinic in an outlying village.

Niños con Valor Children – Children and women’s home, Cochabamba, Bolivia

With over 400,000 orphaned and abandoned children living in Bolivia there is a great sense of hopelessness. Niños con Valor, which means Children with Value, is a Bolivian non-profit organization based in the city of Cochabamba. The organization works to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged and impoverished children and youth. At present, Niños con Valor is growing its vision to include the severely marginalized and discriminated against population of children and youth living with HIV/AIDS. Niños con Valor runs several homes including one for young girls. It is also working with a group of about 12 street children and adolescents near the bus terminal. Niños con Valor journeys to the terminal area 2-3 nights per week, and mostly listens to what’s going on in their lives and suggests what might help. Much of this time has been spent building relationships and trust with these kids who have difficulty trusting that anyone wants to be their friend without any strings attached. The overwhelming majority of them sniff a cheap shoe repair adhesive that acts as a neurotoxin - dulling the pain and both physical and spiritual emptiness of their lives. For more information go to their website at http://www.ninosconvalor.org/

La Trinidad Anglican Church Construction Project, Cochabamba, Bolivia

This Church has long been renting its facilities. Now La Trinidad can afford to buy land and build a new cathedral. Our construction team hopes to be able to help construct a sub-building on the property.

The Children's Ministry Team in Lima, Peru

Our Children’s Ministry Team will devote its time at the Holy Trinity School and beyond in the wider Anglican Diocese. Volunteers will have three goals. The team will work with the children doing art and music; crafts and games. Team members who are teachers will provide in service education. The team will also help expand the small library. So donations of money or suitable Spanish books will be much appreciated. For more information on the Anglican Diocese please go to their website: http://www.peru.anglican.org/.

The Eye Glass Team in Lima, Peru

A challenge for many Peruvians is not only access to ophthalmological treatments to cure or prevent loss of eyesight but also the challenge of obtaining low or no cost eye glasses and sunglasses. The new and returning members of our Eye Glass Team will be able to distinguish whether vision is impaired for distances or reading; test for distance impairment with an auto refractor and fit Peruvians for reading glasses. Eyeglasses for both adults and children are needed as well as sunglasses for protection especially at high altitudes. Please consider donating new and used glasses. Money for supplies is needed too and your donations are appreciated.

Our Dental Team in Lima, Peru

Peru has changed its health insurance system and offers free dental services to people younger than 17 years. Apart from pain relief, preventive measures such as fluorization and conservative measures such as fillings and endodontics are included. This is all good news however in some urban areas and rural informal communities, there are no dentists or there is a lack of electricity and adequate dental equipment. As a South American priest said recently, “oral health care is one of the areas where children receive little help. Factors for this include a lack of money, a lack of awareness among parents, and even fears of going to the dentist. So primary oral health care is a priority need.” Your financial donations are greatly appreciated for dental supplies.

What is the mission of the Media Team?

The Media Team's Vision?

To be a "marketing machine" for the projects and our mission team. We can discover and tell the most compelling stories but without an audience, we lessen our impact.

Our purpose?

1. To provide tools to the grass-roots initiatives that help them achieve their goals by:
· Traveling to all sites
· Interviewing project leads and mission teams
· Creating power point presentations, slide shows and other materials for each project

2. Inspiring other missions workers by:
· Maintaining a regular blog from November 2008 – July 2009
· Sharing the learnings and experiences of mission workers from preparation to field

3. Enhance the Team’s impact by:
· Chronicling your field work
· Providing you with the materials to tell your stories back home

The roles?
1. David Hillock will tell stories through photographs transformed into DVDs, etc.
2. Judy Fantham will tell stories through interviews and maintaining this blog
3. You, the mission team can support through agreeing to be interviewed for any of the above and be willing to make public presentations with tailored material provided to you by the Media Team

We welcome your input and support!!

Quote of the day for November 1, 2008

About our mission work in South America: “you are serving and you will be served” – in reference to the wonderful hospitality of Peruvians and Bolivians

A fund-raising update

- $240 was raised through the purchase of gift cards cards & certificates from over 250 brand name retailers. The Bolivia - Peru Mission 2009 receives a percentage ranging from 1%-15%from each cards and certificates purchased. Orders will be ready November 29
- 60 people are on the list for the luncheon and play, "Pardon Me Prime Minister" by Edward Taylor & John Graham on November 9. Doors open from 12.00 noon. Tickets $53.00 per person (includes lunch, play and all taxes). Contact: St. Paul’s Church L’Amoreaux Tel: 416-499-1545 or Joe/Jennifer 416-498-7319
- A golf tournament raised $700. Fourteen hardy golfers turned out and everybody received a prize. Another tournament will be scheduled in the Spring.

Remaining a healthy mission team worker? Don’t get S.S.S.I.C.K!

S=Seafood (raw) (No)
S=Street food (No)
S=Salads (No)
I=Ice (No)
C=Carry hand sanitizer (Yes)
K=Kit of medical antidotes: (Yes)
1. Cipro is an antibacterial drug used to kill any bacteria in the body causing infection
2. Dukoral is an oral immunization against traveller's diarrhea and cholera
3. Pepto-Bismol for upset stomach and other symptoms
4. Imodium for relief of diarrhea