Belize Mission Project brings smiles to patients

Dave Dorman knew he wanted to put his chosen profession as a dental lab technician to good use, but he didn’t quite know when or how until he was on his honeymoon in Belize with his new wife, Barbara, in the spring of 2008. While in Belize, Dorman met Dr. Will Lala, the coordinator and cofounder of the Belize Mission Project, which provides free medical care to residents of the country.

Each year BMP sends teams of medical and dental professionals to Belize. Portable dental units and medical stations are set up as clinics at a San Pedro Lions Club breezeway, at a school or church facility and at a bike shop. People crowd the clinics for treatment as news of BMP’s arrival quickly spreads.

A local diving company provides dive tanks, which are used to operate the dental equipment. The professionals supply their own medications, syringes and drills.

In fall 2008 Dorman, who focuses on restorative dentistry for BMP, joined the mission project.

“I went to help people, and I was the one helped,” he said. He was amazed by the patience of the Belizean people, who walked for miles to seek treatment and who sometimes waited for hours just to be seen. Belizeans offered sincere gratitude and warm welcomes to BMP volunteers.

“I knew before leaving that I wanted to go back,” Dorman said.

‘Extra hands’

True to his word, Dorman will return to Belize the week of October 16 – 25. The trip is nonprofit, and volunteers pay their own travel expenses, lodging and some meals.

Belize lies on the Caribbean coast of Central America.Members of Dorman’s church, Highland Baptist Church, have been very generous with financial support. The Lions Club of Apex, which donated money to pay Dorman’s expenses last year, has given money again for his 2009 trip. Family members and business associates have also contributed.

This year Dorman’s wife will be joining him. She is a social worker and will be available to help in that capacity.

“I will be assisting and providing extra hands to do whatever,” Barbara Dorman said.

For the 2009 trip, BMP is looking for occupational therapists to assist stroke and accident victims, optometrists, nurses, physicians and other support persons. The Dormans are accepting contributions to offset the costs of the trip and the loss of income they will incur while in Belize. Cash donations are also used to purchase food and to provide school lunch programs for Belizean families in need.

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