The Seventh Mission -- August 2004

The volunteers of The Chiapas Project returned to Mexico in August of 2004 to continue its effort to bring healthcare to the indigenous Zoque people of Ocotepec and the surrounding villages. It was another highly successful trip in that not only were people treated for their ailments, but preventative dental and medical efforts were undertaken.

As is the case with each of The Chiapas Project’s previous trips, an action plan was developed based on the skills of the volunteers who were able to make the journey. Our attitude has always been that we will accomplish as much as we can with the people present.

The dental clinic was a very busy place indeed. Dr. Dave Brody was joined by Dr. Kinnari Patel of Chicago, Dr. Ashok Vaid of Edison (NJ), and dental assistants Blanca Delgado of Chicago and Ammie Murray of Colorado Springs. These trained professionals performed countless extractions, restorations and preventative sealants. Additionally, volunteers Jim McCracken (NJ), Veronica Powers (Oregon), Kate Kresge (NJ), Rob Wrobel (NJ), Heather Bland (Calif.), Cindy Seamans (NJ), Amy Chrzanowski (NY), Santa Comancho (Mexico City) and Anna Fitzgibbons (NJ) were trained to apply fluoride varnish to the teeth of the pediatric patients to prevent the onset of dental caries. In turn, they trained several of the local Herbal Doctors to apply the varnish, which needs to be replaced every 6 months. (The fluoride varnish is purchased from Vista Dental Products for 50 cents a dose. We need more funding to ensure the continuation of this effort.) This program, as well as teaching oral hygiene, marks the beginning of our efforts to prevent dental disease, rather than just treating the effects. The dental clinic was operating each morning and afternoon. Hundreds of patients were treated.

Our medical efforts were hampered somewhat by the lack of physician and nurse volunteers. Dr. Joanne Liegner was joined by Dr. Tom Gavin of Colorado and nurses Mary Morgan, Roe Wellman, Barry Bontempo (all of NJ) and medical student Keval Chandarana of London, England. Each morning medical clinics were in operation at the Casa Main. Each afternoon, two teams of volunteers, carrying portable pharmacies, drove/hiked out to surrounding villages to provide care to people unable to make the trek into Ocotepec. Our hope is to recruit more medical personnel for the March 12-19, 2005 trip so that we can keep the clinics opened both mornings and afternoons, while still sending teams out to the villages.

As always, the pharmacy, headed by Kim Brody, was extremely busy. Thousands of prescriptions were compounded, a detailed inventory taken, and medications given to Sister Estephan’s dispensary, which is opened every day. Over one ton of medicines were brought to Ocotepec. Some of the medicines were from samples donated by pharmaceutical company representatives, but most were purchased at a deep discount through Medical Assistance Programs International. Monetary donations are needed so that we can continue to bring these much-needed supplies on our next trip.

Last, but certainly not least, our dynamic quartet of Nick, Carlitos, Joab, and Yasser handled the triage and translating chores which enabled our clinicians to treat as many people as they did. Several people from Ocotepec were hired to translate between Zoque and Spanish. Among them was our friend Lucia, a 14 year-old student who hopes to become a doctor one day. (The Newton, NJ and Chiapa de Corzo Rotary Clubs are trying to have Lucia as an exchange student whereby she will live with the Brody/Liegner family and attend school in New Jersey.)

While our group always works hard, we also enjoy many of the simpler things Ocotepec, and Chiapas have to offer; evenings on the roof after dinner, music by the local teenagers, the search for the Charrito, the fraternity amongst the volunteers of all ages, the smiles from the townsfolk as one strolls the streets, and, of course, the beautiful children.

The group returned to the Camino Real hotel in Tuxtla Gutierrez on day 6 of the trip. Some volunteers wallowed in the pool while others set off to see some of the sights in the city. That evening, we were once again the guests of the Rotary Club of nearby Chiapa de Corzo. (These Rotarians have become fast friends of The Chiapas Project and a real brotherhood has been forged.) The wives of the Rotarians prepared a wonderful feast of typical Chiapan cuisine. Our group provided a live marimba band and plenty of libations. Volunteers of The Chiapas Project who had made several trips to aid the indigenous people were honored by the Club with beautiful certificates of appreciation. Both groups renewed their pledge to continue working together for the betterment of the poor people of the region.

The final day in Chiapas was spent at leisure. Many volunteers went back to Chiapa de Corzo to board open-air boats for the river ride through the spectacular Sumidiero Canyon and then spent the afternoon strolling the colonial town itself. Others went to the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo. In the evening, most people enjoyed the music at the Park de las Marimbas followed by dinner at nearby typical restaurants. Many of the younger volunteers ended their day at the nearby nightclub while the older folk got some sleep in preparation for the next day’s travel back home.

When The Chiapas Project returns to Mexico March 12-19, 2005, we will continue our efforts to improve the conditions for the Zoque people of the area. The manner of doing so will once again be determined by the volunteers present and the fundraising which took place prior to the trip. You are encouraged to contact us for details, and to spread the word of our work.

Dave Brody, D.M.D., President
The Chiapas Project Inc.
A New Jersey Non-Profit Corporation

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