AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Partners of Belize Medical services to San Pedro

E&T: It would be helpful if the reporting mentioned the work you and others do for the less fortunate on the mainland. There is a perception, probably accurate, that AC receives more than its fair share of economic and charitable benefits than other parts of Belize. This can arguably account for the reluctance to return to AC more of the monies that it generates in taxes for the needs of AC.
All acts of giving to those in need are commendable. Some require more of a sacrifice than others.

And, Loansum-Al K, if you don't understand that this kind of limited reporting leaving out the work done in other parts of Belize can be a negative for AC, then you need to "wake up".

And, you are right E&T, based on the reporting I have no clue on what you or others do for other people of Belize.

I get so upset when the people who are promoting " good deeds" get so nasty so fast. It is a fair question to ask if the volunteers take away from our local practitioners. Sounds like in dentistry, they are an addition. Belize needs to begin to make choices about what services we need volunteers to provide and not develop policies because a particular group wishes to be here.
I am sure that everyone in this group is well meaning, totally board cerified and carries liability if anything goes wrong. But I have seen other situations where that is not true and local care providers are left cleaning up.
So who supervises, who certifies, and who makes sure that cultural differences are respected! Fair question so hold the fire

Thanks to all the selfless volunteers, we love ya !

[quote=pamkillen]I get so upset when the people who are promoting " good deeds" get so nasty so fast. [/quote

Excellent points, Pam.
Being solely defensive of ones actions without considering the potential unintended consequences could be considered narcissistic.

Or not making the effort to look at a wider frame of understanding when the welfare of others might be at risk.
I like to think that we all have enquiring minds and function within systems that allow for open minded discussion leading to greater knowledge and understanding.
I asked the question because I am truly and simply interested in the answer. But one forgets!

" Mission trips" as some of them are, provoke many hard questions
1. Was there a need by poor people back home in their own community for these type services to be provided (that is, was this just a fun trip for the team, or should they do the same thing back home first) . My city had a free dental day and 1200 people showed up.

2. were they invited/sponsored into the "host" country by someone/some local medical organization. Some countries, Chile I have been told, dont like some of these type trips unless they are sponsored by a local group. If they just show up, and have self selected the "locals" they will work on, how do locals view them or accept them if the local medical organizations dont know them ?

3. were the people properly trained and certified for what they are doing, who checks on this? (or do you get want- to- be -docs and summer students doing medical things (practice) that are illegal back home but are somehow OK in another country). US had problems like this on the Katrina hurricane cleanup around new orleans.

4. do they sterilize their equipment properly, and how- are they taking short cuts here? what equipment is used? do they off load steam sterilizer autoclaves at the airport? Thats the standard of care now. Not boiling on a stove in a pan of water etc. why? infection, HIV, hepatitis etc etc

5. do they not "push' any religion or products

6. is aftercare provided (your tooth extraction gets infected but the team is gone, what do you do?)

7. is there time for the team to be briefed on the country's culture and history during their visit to prevent comments like "no I dont know much about the place , we were only there 4 days, and the food was bad, they eat only beans and rice (someone told me this about Peru once!!!!!) " (probably not applicable to vacation spots like AC).

Hard questions but I think they are legitimate ones.

very legitimate questions - !!

And just as legitimate is next time the team is around volunteer your services to help and ask them!!!

Ed50 thank you for the really thoughtful post.
Dabunk, many of us spend quite a bit of time volunteering throughout Belize. I think that's why we know to ask questions.

This is the group we work with, I was wrong, 25 years of missions in Toledo Belize

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dos-Amigos-Dental-Medical-Mission/119691944753671