The last day in Vietnam consisted of sleeping in until 12pm before check-out and lunch buffet. After lunch we made our way to the airport, where most of us went back home in the states. We said "see you later" to the 7G goers who would be staying back in Vietnam. We went through airport security and boarded the plane that flew us from Saigon to Taipei and then Taipei to Los Angeles. It was now a full circle. 7G: mission completed.
What seems like now as a blur, the 7G medical mission trip comes to a close. The two weeks flew by quickly, as we carried out our various programs this year. As the trip started two weeks ago when everyone met up at the hotel on August 8th in Saigon, our 7G team consisted of 41 team members, ready to travel on this journey. Now, we have approached our end destination for 7G.
In tradition of Tuan's recap from 6G, here is a recap of what we accomplished during our various programs during 7G:
Scholarship: The number of students from Duc Hue, Long An receiving scholarships remained at 70 this year. The scholarships will help the students stay in school for another year. All students were able to received dental check up after the award ceremony.
Heart Program: 5 young patients with congenital heart disease will be receiving life saving heart-surgeries this year. The decrease in number of heart surgeries is due to budgeting for the dental mobile units, which cost around $6000 for each one, or $18,000 total for all three.
Orphanage: Monetary support ($1000 each) were donated to Thien Binh Orphanage and Ky Quang Center for their upkeeps. Toys, toothpaste, and toothbrushes were also given out. In addition, the dental team had free dental check-ups for the Thien Binh Orphanage. Not only did the children had a day to smile and be kids for the day, they also had a smile that reflected the fun that they had with the 7G goers.
Clinics: Approximately 2,100 patients were seen among the four days of clinics in Ben Tre and Tien Giang. These patients were able to have their blood pressure and glucose/cholesterol levels measured, consult a doctor, get screened for EKG/Ultrasound, have a dental check up, and receive free medication from pharmacy.
Transfer of Technology: all 32 boxes of medical supplies (the other 5 boxes contained toys and backpacks) were successfully transferred to the University Medical Center in Saigon. Ranging from catheters to crosser machine, every piece of medical technology was transferred over to the international hospital, where they would be used in various surgeries and treatments.
Dental: As opposed to the three dental clinics last year, the dental team had a total of six dental clinics this year! With all four clinic days, Thien Binh Orphanage, and the Due Hue scholarship students, each dental clinic was a huge success with the three dental mobile units. Major props to Dr. Timothy Bui and the dental team!
In addition, as Tuan has also stated in the 6G blog, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the following:
- Nguyen family - Co Kim, Dr. Duy, Au Co, Long Co, and Long. Thank you for being the foundation of this organization, for taking care of it and entrusting us with this mission.
- The adults - Dr. Timothy Bui, Dr. Belville, Dr. Phung, and Rosalie. Thank you for helping us in various aspects throughout the trip and keeping all of the 7G goers safe and sound.
- Anh Phúc. Thank you for setting up everything during our mission trip in Vietnam. Whether it was the hospital tour or being a liaison with the university students and representatives, we could not have done it without your help. We look forward to working with you again next year.
- Univerisity students and representatives. Thank you for your support during the clinic days and all of your hard work. We could not have been as successful without all of your help. Thank you as well for the social and having us as your friends. We will always remember the performances on stage and the games around the bonfire in the rain.
- Officers - Ngan, Vy, Natalie, David, Johnson, Phoebe, Amanda, Ben (UCLA), and Katrina. Thank you for sacrificing so much of your time in planning before as well as during the mission. With all of the behind-the-scene work, the mission trip would not have been as successful without everyone's help.
- 7G team. Thank you for being the core of our mission trip. Thank you for adapting with us during our whole trip, as I know that the schedule changes and early mornings were rough. Everyone served as a crucial part of the the trip, all 41 of you.
As someone who is not Vietnamese or have any connections with Vietnam, I will remember everything and everyone on this trip. Even with the language barrier, I can say that the country will always have a special place in my heart. Personally for me, 7G was more than just a medical mission trip. With everyone that I met and the lessons that I have learned, all of the MEMOries that I have made on the trip have been unforgettable. As my dream is to one day work in the field of medicine as a trauma surgeon, I will definitely practice the compassion and empathy that I have witnessed. Through all of the smiles, sweat, and everything in between, I will hold the MEMOries close to me. Here are a few personal favorite memories of mine:
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| Meeting everyone on the 7G team. I couldn't have asked for a better team. Photo by Dr. Bui. |
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| Me and my little buddy at the Thien Binh orphanage. Singing my rendition of Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me," I sang the choir lines and the baby always laughed when I try hitting the high notes. Photo by Katy. |
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| I had the honor and privilege of working under Dr. John Belville on Ultrasound during the four clinics. Even though I have years to go before I am ready to use Ultrasound by myself, I enjoyed working with Dr. Belville, Katrina, and Vy during the clinics. Photo by Dr. Bui. |
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| Winning the duck egg eating contest! Competing against Kevin, Ngan, Dr. Bui, and Dr. Phung, I won by default with 8 eggs. The restaurant ran out unfortunately. Together, we ate a total of 26 eggs! Photo by Katy. |
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| Working with the most awesome board during the whole trip. My face tells it all. Photo by David. |
Even though 7G was my first trip with M.E.M.O., it will probably be my last trip...for now...as an undergrad. As I have to study for the MCAT next summer as well as get ready for medical school, I may come back on the trip as a medical student or as a resident. Maybe even as a doctor on the trip. Who knows?
In the meantime, it has been a pleasure writing to you all on this journey of 7G. Thank you for reading all of the blog entries and keeping up with all of our programs on the trip. We hope to see you again next year on 8G.
With grace and execution,
Johnson
Written by Johnson. Photo credit has been given in the caption.
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