Nepal is an ancient country but really has only been opened up to the west in the past few decades. What we have seen so far in Kathmandu would attest to this. There are no sky scrapers, in fact we have not seen any “modern” buildings. The electric power poles are rats nests of tangled wires. The streets are not marked, some are paved but most are partially paved and filled with huge potholes, one reason the chaotic traffic I described earlier can function at all-it’s impossible to go fast. The dry conditions foster clouds of dust in the streets and there is usually a haze over the whole city. Most people walking or driving in the streets wear masks to protect them from the dust. The masks are hand made and look like surgical masks but are made of cloth. We’ve been wearing surgical masks we brought for the clinic because the local ones don’t fit our big American heads.

 

It’s all a great adventure. Our comrades in the clinic are a dedicated and interesting bunch. It’s pretty much a first name group so that’s the way I’ll describe them. There are 3 “staff” volunteers, I suspect they get some of their expenses covered,  but I’m not sure.

 

The clinic director is Dr. Tom, a retired dentist from Durango Colorado. He has been a clinic director for many years and will be working at the next clinic in Kathmandu and immediately after that goes to the clinic in Ley, India for 4 weeks. He opened a not-for-profit practice in Kabul, Afghanistan were he works a few weeks every year and has an Afghani dentist (interestingly a woman) who works part time.  They saw 1000 patients last year for free. At our clinic,  he screens all the patients and does a treatment plan, then numbs them up if necessary. Dr. Tom chants “this is good” in Nepali as he administers anesthetic to the often frightened children.

 

Dr. Mark is a pediatric dentist from southern California, he is semi retired from a large practice that he started. Like Dr. Tom he will attend the next clinic in Kathmandu and the upcoming one in India. Dr Mark has worked at many humanitarian clinics including some not affiliated with Himalyan Dental Relief (the sponsor of our clinic). Even with his wide range of experience Dr. Mark does no dentistry at the clinic, he is in charge of the volunteers (making sure we have lunch coordinating dinners etc.) and more importantly making sure we have patients to see. He makes phone calls to schools and uses an interpreter to make sure the students arrive when we need them. Even though everything has been arranged in advance there always seems to be some snag to over come.

 

Garth is a paid employee of Himalayan Dental Relief Project, he is probably in his late 20’s and I’m sure does it for the adventure and of course the chance to help others. He is in charge of the functioning of the clinic, procuring supplies, coordinating student volunteers (they act as dental assistants, child wranglers, sterilizers and more. Garth and Dr. Tom live in a small apartment HDRP keeps near the school.

 Dr. Sanjay is a volunteer from New Zealand. He is specializing in doing composites but like everyone will do what needs done. He is of Indian decent and speaks (as you might imagine) with a heavy Kiwi accent.  He joined the project from information he read in a magazine article. It’s surprising how many cultural references we all share, because of the common begging in Kathmandu and Sanjay's India heritage, “Slum Dog Millionaire” is a frequent topic. He carries a bottle of hot sauce and Marmite (like Vegimite sandwich from the song "a land down under".

 Dr. Gary is a dentist from Washington; his home overlooks Puget Sound across from Victoria, Canada. Gary has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Mont Rainier and more. He is in his early sixties, single but with a fairly new girl friend that he seems to be very serious about. He searching for appropriate gifts for his girl friend and female staff.

 April is our youngest volunteer,  she is a hygienist from San Diego, she is married to a career marine officer who has seen two tours in Iraq and is ready to be deployed to Afghanistan. She a pretty blond who draws instant attention in this dark headed country. The minute you meet April you’re friends.

 Then of course there’s Charlie and I. Charlie has been working doing record keeping and sterilization and me…I’m just drillin’ and fillin’.

 That’s our crew, they are all fun to be with, smart and interesting. We’re having a lot of fun.