April 2016
The April trip was a spectacular and busy adventure. A diverse team focused on everything from dentistry to math curriculum to landscaping. Teacher workshops, men’s and women’s health clinics, medical and dental services, and improvements to the computer lab were among the activities. The team had a rare opportunity to travel with Celia Lawson, Dean Seibert’s granddaughter who is just a junior in high school, but it ready to get out and see the world. We think she sums it up best….
“As a high school student interested in a college path that involves helping, healing, teaching, global health, the environment and travel, the ACTS 2016 trip to El Rosario was an amazing experience. Through the willingness of the team members to include me in their visits with patients, and the patient’s openness to having me present, I gained exposure to a wide variety of medical issues. I was quickly and comfortably taken under the wing of the medical team and encouraged to participate in anything I thought I could handle – from small surgical procedures to family counseling, cervical exams, pre-natal visits and more. With the team I saw over 40 patients, both male and female and of all ages. I also got to see Dr. Luis’ first week in the dental clinic and learn from him about dentistry in rural Honduras. Traveling up into the smaller communities to do ‘house calls’ was another fantastic learning experience, and watching Dr. Dean, my Grandfather, lead the team and the various community committees was inspiring. The individuals making up the team were all wonderful and I really enjoyed getting to know them. Additionally the friendship and care extended to the team by the local community quickly made El Rosario feel like ‘home’. Thanks to the ACTS April 2016 team members and the people of El Rosario for an experience of a lifetime- although I hope to go back soon! And special thanks to Deano for making the trip possible and encouraging me to jump in with both feet.”
