Daund Medical Outreach - January 2012

by Kathy Tetlow

In January 2012, after holding a 5-day medical camp in Pune, the Medical Missions team traveled to the town of Daund to minister at a school. The school, Mary Memorial Christian School, consists of 4 campuses and approximately 4,000 students. The campuses are in a rural area with many sugar cane fields around them.

We stayed at the main campus, which accommodates about 3,000 students (pre-K through high school). Every morning the children at the main campus line up by class to pray, say the Indian pledge, and sing the Indian national anthem.

Our second day there we stood up on the steps in front of them and each of us stepped forward to introduce ourselves. The majority of the students come from the local villages and are very poor. They all wear uniforms, white socks and the same type of shoe. It was obvious that most of the uniforms were hand-me-downs. I saw one girl whose toes were sticking out of the front of her shoes because the shoes had no front and part of the tops was missing. But she was running and playing as if she had brand new shoes on.

During our 2 days there we saw approximately 750 students. They all were weighed, measured for height, pulse check, given medication (if needed) and vitamins. Then they went to dental where they were checked for cavities and given a fluoride rinse. We also went up to each class to teach them about washing their hands and brushing their teeth. The students were also given toothbrushes and toothpaste.

What was really wonderful to see is that these children, who are so poor, are so happy. They loved to get their picture taken and then see it on the camera. They may not have smiled for the picture, but their faces lit up like the sun when they saw themselves and their friends. We all should be so happy with the little things. I have been incredibly blessed over these 2 weeks. I thank everyone for all the prayers.