Back in October, Dr. Meyers traveled with his family and other non-profit members for a mission trip to Guatemala! The group they travel with is called "Time and Talents for Children", out of Cedarburg. They have averaged about 3 trips a year for the last five years and this particular trip was Dr. Meyers' family's third trip since 2010! On this this trip Dr. Meyers' son Scott was 16, and his daughter, Kaitlyn, was 17. On their first trip, they were only 12 and 13!
On October 25th they flew out of Chicago, flying first to Panama City, then on to Guatemala City. After spending the night in Guatemala City, they took a large van on a four hours trip to a small city called Panajachel. This has been the home base for all three of our trips! After arriving in Panajachel, they typically partner with a local group who helps secure a location to provide dental care, as well as provide the patients who are in need, as well as transportation, translators, and lunches while on site. This trip, the group they were working with was a Mormon group who run a school north east of Panajachel. Their staff, the students and their families were the patients!
The group had one general dentist (Dr. Meyers), two pediatric dentists, a pediatrician, a small construction crew and several support people. Over the course of four working days in a gym, the group saw nearly 250 patients, and removed over 300 teeth from patients from 3 to 81 years old. Oral hygiene instruction was provided, as well as supplies to help promote a healthy mouth! The pediatrician was able to do well baby checks on around 20 children, providing care where needed, and educated young mothers on how to care for their infants! The construction crew built a goat pen for the director of the school.
After our four days of treatment, the group traveled to Antigua, the previous capitol of Guatemala to rest for a day! After that, it was a 10 hour, 5000 mile journey home!
