From April 21 to April 25, volunteers from Minnesota, Georgia, Massachusetts, Arizona, Canada, and Vietnam joined the April 2015 Catalyst Foundation Aid Expedition (AE)Team in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam about one hour away from Nha Trang, Vietnam.
The goal of Catalyst Foundation is to help build communities in Vietnam to help fight human trafficking. Catalyst works with the poorest villages in Vietnam to help break the cycle of poverty and help empower people. This AE worked specifically with the Raglai ethnic minority group in Vietnam. Within this community, 90% of families earn less than $1 a week and only 1% had ever been allowed access to medical care. 78% have no access to water for drinking, cooking, or bathing. 90% do not have a safe home or proper bathroom facilities.
The dynamic team included a physician assistant, dentist, medical doctor, social workers, carpenters, and more who helped provide medical and dental care, built a home/emergency shelter, distributed food, and taught basic hygiene.
During the AE, over 300 patients were seen of all ages. Common conditions encountered included dehydration, pneumonia, worms, musculoskeletal pain, tooth decay and pain, and skin concerns. The medical team was able to provide appropriate medications such as de-worming medications, education, and provide procedures such as tooth extraction and fluoride treatment.
The AE was a rewarding experience for all involved and would not have been possible without the support of organizations like the Henry Schein Cares Foundation and their Health Kit Outreach program!
Cam on (thank you)!
For more information:
http://www.catalystfoundation.org/volunteer/vietnam-aid-expedition/
