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Ecuador - Dental Clinic Project Update
Rotary & Adopt-a-Village Continue to Serve Ecuador:
In August a dental team consisting of five Adopt-a-Village International (AaVI) members (four of whom are also Rotarians) returned to the Pedro Moncayo region of Ecuador. During the four day clinic, a total of 165 individuals received dental care and hygiene instruction in four different villages.
The team was led by Dr. Roger Allan and wife Marcia who just completed their fifth trip to South America on behalf of AaVI and Rotary. Four Ecuadorian dental students joined the team from Colorado; two of the students served with Dr. Allan two years prior. We are thrilled to see these young professionals volunteering their time and are pleased that they are rejoining our team, spreading the word of our sustainable message and asking their peers to join in the effort.
We are pleased to report that the two portable dental units donated by the North Colorado Springs Rotary Club worked perfectly. While in country, we also purchased a portable dental chair that will also be utilized in the new clinic.
During our visit, we had the pleasure of visiting the new permanent dental clinic located in the Parish of Malchingui. Upon arrival, the team was welcomed by a large portion of the community showing their appreciation for the efforts of AaVI and Rotary. The reception was overwhelming, shutting down the main street of town and featuring traditionally dressed dancers and characters from Ecuador's history books. We saw children dressed as clowns walking on stilts, a skit performed by community members and were treated to a traditional dinner followed by a bonfire. It was an amazing evening; I only wish it were possible to communicate the appreciation and emotion we were shown with regards to the new clinic.
We toured the clinic (the four room facility was provided entirely by the Parish) and Dr. Allan made a few suggestions regarding the layout. Prior to the end of the year, AaVI will provide the funds to equip the clinic and has committed to funding operations for the first two years with assistance from our partners at CIMAS based in Quito. CIMAS is our on-the-ground partner in Pedro Moncayo and will be coordinating a two-year plan for self-sustainability by coordinating efforts with the local Ministry of Health and dental universities that will provide dental professionals on a rotational basis. A plan for a mobile dental clinic is also in the works. More updates to follow!
We wish to thank all of our donors who continue to support our efforts to make a sustainable difference in both Peru and Ecuador.
Scott Perry