A medical mission that once began as a local pediatrician’s way to provide medical attention to needy children has blossomed into a project involving a number of community groups and care providers.
Monadnock Community Hospital pediatrician Adela de Vera said that 19 people joined her this year on her annual trip to Mandeville, Jamaica, where she has provided health screening for the past five summers.
“I feel like I have a second office over there,” said de Vera. “We have charts organized in crates and some of the patients recognize us.”
De Vera said the trip began as a way for her to give back and to teach her children the importance of helping those in need. The trip, which occurs every summer, brings medical professionals from the area to Mandeville to offer medical and dental check ups to school children.
“We noticed a lot of need, not just for the materials, but for education,” said Pam Delahanty, a dental hygienist at Monadnock Community Hospital who went on the trip for the second time this year. “There is a lack of access because they are very poor.”
De Vera said that while she has reached out to some medical professionals for assistance, much of the trip has grown from word of mouth. In addition to providing check-ups for the children, the crew also brings over hand-decorated bags full of school supplies.
“The kids really like the bags,” said Linda Caracappa, who has been going on the trip for three years.
While the trip has been a success, de Vera said she is always looking for ways to improve.
Notable changes for next year’s trip could include pre-shipping the bags and donated medical materials before they leave through Food for the Poor and creating a 501c3 organization to help better keep track money donated for the trip.
“I never realized that this trip would get this big,” said de Vera. “Hopefully this is something we can keep going for years to come.”
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com. He is also on Twitter @nhandyMLT.