Medical Mission to Belize

From January 19 through 26, I participated in my third medical mission trip to Belize, formerly British Honduras, a Central American country of 380,000. The mission trip and others that followed are sponsored by The Dwelling Place in Cincinnati. This year, more than 70 of us worked together in small villages of the Corozal and Orange Walk provinces. The mission included surgeries, medical exams and consultations for individuals and families, and construction of a home for a family of 13.

Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, home builders and many other volunteers joined forces with local public health teams to assist people in eight small villages to provide medical assistance that would be provided by family practices in the United States. The surgeries for ears, nose, and throat issues were performed in two small hospitals.

My role was to provide massage therapy as prescribed by the doctors. In addition to doing 90 short massages, I introduced patients to stretches that could address their issues without our assistance. Our goal is always to increase the capacities of these wonderful people to help themselves. Our mission is community building and capacity building.

If you would like to know more, visit Partners for Belize.