The Fifth Mission -- August 2003

The Chiapas Project's 5th trip to serve the indigenous Zoque people showed a continued growth from the previous missions. Our group was large, perhaps too large, which allowed us to treat thousands of people who have no other access to healthcare. In fact, 150 people greeted us one morning who had been walking since 2:00 A.M. from a distant village in order to be seen by our volunteers.

Summer is typically the rainy season in southern Mexico and we were not disappointed. The bus carrying many of the volunteers and much of the luggage was unable to pass through the "mud bogs" where construction of the road had ended, approximately two miles short of Ocotepec. People hoofed it until municipal trucks from the town came and carried the people and gear into town. One pick-up, with Dave Brody, Frank Eberhart and Rodiberto Perez got stuck in the mud and experienced a mudslide before being pulled out by a passing truck. A little scary, but no real harm done. The good news was that the waterfalls in the Sumidero Canyon were spectacular!

Once in Ocotepec, our group set-up the pharmacy, kitchen, and clinics (dental, general medicine, gynecology, and ophthalmology) so that we could begin seeing patients the next morning. In the following three days over 2500 people were treated and/or received medications. Patients went through a triage station and sent on to the appropriate clinic. Nurses evaluated and treated most of the patients while the two physicians, Joanne Liegner and Bruce Mintz, saw the more complex cases. The dental clinic was a very busy place. Six chairs were in constant use. Dr. Cynthia Peticolas brought along her two dental assistants from Oregon, and dental student Andy Wiers (Marquette Univ.) joined Dave Brody in an "extract-a-thon". Preventative sealants were placed on children's teeth and fillings were done as well.

Our non-medical volunteers served vital roles. Many worked to keep the pharmacy and clinics moving. Others evaluated our earlier efforts to reduce the smoke in people's "houses" (hoping to alleviate the high rate of respiratory ailments). Chef Sheelah (of Food Network and Torte Knox Cooking School fame) and sous-chef Elaine outdid themselves to provide meals like The Chiapas Project has never seen before. Handyman extraordinaire Chris installed a new water filtration system and kept the plumbing flowing, much to the joy of the volunteers residing in the school building. Ramey spent his time recording the daily life in Ocotepec and produced a magnificent DVD that is being used to show others what we do in Chiapas.

After hours were spent walking around town, some attending church services, and inevitably ended up partying on the roof, enjoying each other's company and relating stories of the day's adventures in medicine. (One man was carried in a sling for 4 hours over the mountains to be seen. He received medicines to ease his pain but sadly died the next day.)

The return to Tuxtla Gutierrez, once we got past the mud bogs, went easily. The group enjoyed the free time to relax and get to know the city better. Most people went to nearby Chiapa de Corzo on Friday to see a real colonial Mexican town and take the riverboats into the spectacular Sumidero Canyon. A great Farewell Party at a nearby restaurant, complete with a marimba band, celebrated our final night. Our friends from the Club Rotario of Chiapa de Corzo, who help us so much, joined the festivities.

As always, we learn from every trip we take. Having only two physicians (other than ophthalmologists) is simply too few. They were grossly overworked. On future trips all physicians, no matter their specialties, will provide primary care unless we have an influx of physician-volunteers. We will re-focus our efforts to providing primary medical/dental care and preventative education before expanding into other community service projects. Ophthalmologic surgeries will be done as a separate mission in order to better utilize our staffing and energy. We will provide more extensive pre-trip medical planning so that all providers are on the same page.

With all of that said, we had a great time! The comraderie of the volunteers, both adults and students, made for a wonderful experience. The reception we received from the people of Chiapas was warm and generous. We can honestly say that we are helping to improve the lives of these people who have so little while adding meaning to our own lives. Seeing how great is the need, we gain appreciation for all that we have. It is a privilege to be of service.

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

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