The local volunteers of the Sri Lanka Team 2018, under the organizational leadership of Dr. Michael Kloep, the co-founder and initiator of D.R.O.P.S., included doctors and educators of various nationalities.
As in previous years, during this 5-day mission over 2000 people were reached in the remote, needy villages and small towns of Sri Lanka. General dental and medical treatments were administered, in addition to ophthalmological examinations (eye care) to already enthusiastically waiting children, adults and the elderly. Also, a comprehensive support program for better hygiene and correct food handling was carried out this year. Presenting improvement tips on daily hygiene and nutrition to people living in extreme poverty in a pragmatic and playful way was not only fun, but also improved their quality of life at the same time.
Children's eyes especially lit up when they got to choose their first toy and the generous donations of clothes also made many people happy.
After Father Anthon Parish thanked the D.R.O.P.S. volunteers for their proven commitment and the already expected medical support in a moving speech, the packed day started with doctors and accompanying staff. D.R.O.P.S. volunteers registered 570 patients and ensured that the general medical and ophthalmological examinations ran according to plan.
300 pairs of glasses were distributed to children and adults, and emotions ran high as some of them received glasses for the first time in their lives, enriching their lives almost instantly. In addition, an elaborate social program on improving daily hygiene and nutrition was presented in a relaxed, sometimes playful manner.
An absolute highlight of this day was the visit to the orphanage for girls, about an hour away, where the local saying "Thich Nhat Hanh - a smile makes life so much more beautiful" was directly experienced. The rest of the afternoon was spent having a cup of tea, painting nails and making bracelets with these young ladies and their caregivers from the church.
"Thich Nhat Hanh - a smile makes life so much more beautiful"
On the second day, the team returned to the community center and church in Ehliyagoda, this time accompanied by our dental duo. As in previous years, dentist Dr. Yasmin Kottait treated the patients registered by the volunteers and coming from far away. The day began with the set up of a medical and dental station and resulted in basic health and dental care for 85 children, who also received a toothbrush and toothpaste. The volunteers in charge of activities engaged the children with the educational program in dental care, hygiene, nutrition and exercise, followed by fun activities and games such as the t-shirt painting contest "Draw what we learned'', "Simon Said", painting, face painting and mini handbags that the girls got to paint.
In the afternoon we went by bus to another orphanage for girls. After a couple of hours of driving down small, windy roads, an abandoned building appeared, nestled among dense plantations on a hill. We wandered the corridors, not hearing a sound, when we finally approached a building at the edge of the grounds, where we found 40 girls sitting silently in a classroom. When they saw us coming, their faces lit up with excitement.
The nuns escorted the volunteers into the classroom where they introduced themselves and gave a short educational session. A small medical station was set up to address some critical issues while the other volunteers handed out bubbles, barbies and bracelets generously donated by D.R.O.P.S. supporters. The children also worked in groups to draw fruits and vegetables on large posters, demonstrating exceptional skills.
After an ample rest, the volunteers were ready for a real treat on Day 3! First it was time to go shopping: the shopping carts were full of hygiene items for children and toys - purchased on behalf of the generous D.R.O.P.S. donations. Then came the annual visit to the Warehouse Project in Maradana, Colombo. A project that works at community level to make a difference, with a focus on long-term positive impact for people from all walks of life in Colombo.
A monk leading the day's activities greeted the volunteers at the gate of what appeared to be an ancient temple. Curious children and onlookers slowly strolled in to greet the new faces. A medical and dental station was set up while the volunteers began setting up age-appropriate stations for more than 75 children, ages 6 to 17.
The dentist continued with a fun and exciting dental education session that included every child - followed by hygiene, nutrition and physical activity education, in parallel with medical and dental exams for over 75 children. The day ended with bright smiles and giveaways including a toothbrush, toothpaste and toys.
After a fun-filled trip on Day 3, the team arrived in Chilaw and had a full day ahead of them on Day 4 - visiting an underprivileged school and then a remote village in the middle of nowhere.
Our first stop: the school. Long sandy roads eventually brought the bus to the school. When the team arrived, the children appeared in their dusty white school uniforms as they were quickly divided into two welcoming lines of boys and girls. The team began by dividing them up to ensure that as many children as possible could be examined by the medical and dental teams. While the stations were set up, the dentist delivered an entertaining and engaging educational session. Within two hours, all 70 children received dental and medical care and went home with a Barbie for girls, a tennis racket set for boys, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and cricket bats and balls for school.
Waving children with smiling faces surrounded the yellow bus as the team prepared to leave for their next destination.
The next stop: the remote village which is tucked away in the middle of Tossogama plantations. The bus came to a halt and couldn’t continue - the team had to walk from there. A beautiful walk through the plantation led the team to a small, self-sustaining village that has long been supported by the Dimuthu Foundation and is a familiar stop for the D.R.O.P.S. teams. The village comprised a narrow road about 1 km long with a row of mud houses on either side. Onlookers followed the team as it made its way to the main village building at the end of the road.
Over 100 children of all ages received a medical and dental check up along with a toothbrush, toothpaste and toys for the children.
On the last day, Father Jude of the Dimuthu Foundation organized the last group, all of whom gathered in the large church. Children of all ages and their parents waved as the large bus arrived. After a warm welcome, Father Jude began with a short speech, followed by Dr. Michael Kloep, who provided along with other volunteers, dental, hygiene, nutrition and exercise education.
More than 80 children received a medical check-up, face painting and a goody bag filled with toys.
A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers, to Father Anthon and Father Jude, to the Warehouse Project, to other volunteers in Sri Lanka, and to all the donors and partners who made this outreach possible and a great success.
D.R.O.P.S. - For a better tomorrow!
During this 5-day mission in Sri Lanka over 2000 people were reached in the remote, needy villages of Sri Lanka. Dental and general medical treatments, already enthusiastically awaited, were joined by ophthalmological examinations (eye care). Emotions ran high as some of them received glasses for the first time in their lives.
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