Day 2: A Day at the Thien Binh Orphanage in Dong Nai

After packing our bags and leaving Saigon to Dong Nai, we made our way to our next stop: Thien Binh Orphanage. With the medical and dental teams, each team split up into their respective roles. 

With all of the dental supplies on board, the 7G team get ready for their next stop: the Thien Binh Orphanage.

On one hand, the medical team spent most of the day playing with the children at the orphanage since only dental check-ups would be performed - the medical team would be busy during the medical clinics of the trip. As a result, with all of the toys and treats that we brought with us, we distributed it among the children and caretakers of the orphanage. The 7G goers were able to kick a soccer ball around as well as give piggy back rides with the children. It allowed the 7G goers play with the children who they have worked all year fundraising for, with the money raised to help with the upkeep of the orphanage. For the 7G goers, it may have been a day filled with never-ending piggy back rides and constant screaming; however, for the children, it allowed them to meet the people who care about them. Even though the children were shy at first, they soon got over their fears once the fun began.

Kevin and Albert play soccer with the children with one of the soccer balls that we donated to orphanage.

Alex and his little buddy. It was a chance for the kids to play with the 7G goers.

Julian and his little buddy. The children were filled with so much energy!

Naomi and her little buddy. Aren't they cute?!

Furthermore, some of the medical team, Trang, Anh Vi, and Kieu, became the dental education team. While the children waited in line for their dental check-ups, the dental education team taught them about dental hygiene and how to take care of their teeth. In addition, Ben (UCI) and Jessica, also part of the medical team, did triage, taking the blood pressure of the children before their check-up. The main concern was the health of these children.

Kieu and her group of children. In Vietnamese, she taught them about dental hygiene and care.

Trang gathers the children in a circle to teach them about how to care for their teeth - she even taught them how to say "You are beautiful!" in English.

Ben (UCI) and Jessica take the blood pressure of the children. Some of them had their blood pressure taken for the first time - as shown by the child that Jessica is helping.

On the other hand, the dental team went to give free dental check-ups for the children, making sure that their teeth were healthy. This was the first real test for the dental team, as they set up everything under the leadership of Dr. Timothy Bui. After being thoroughly trained, the 7G dental team went to work. From extractions to fillings, the children received the care necessary to make sure that their mouth and teeth were good to go. Even though the 7G dental team didn't have much of a chance to play with the children as the medical team did, they still helped the children smile in a different way.

As the children of the orphanage were not familiar with dental care, they were curious about the 7G dental team and what they were doing.

Working diligently, the 7G dental team helped set up all of the supplies, gearing up to see all of the children at the orphanage.

Ultra Light Optics. The donated gear helps the dentists and dental assistants see better into the mouths of their patients.

(From left to right) Tiffany, Mai Anh, Katy, and Catherine are a part of the 7G dental team. They are ready to go!

In charge of pharmacy, Rosalie helps one of the elders at the orphanage, answering questions and concerns. 

As the children were not used to getting dental check-ups, Alisha and Catherine help the children calm down. Jason helps another patient on the other dental chair.

The 7G dental team assist the local dentists during these check-ups, giving them first-hand experience into the dental field.

When it was lunch time, the medical team also had a chance to feed the children. Most of the time, they just laughed and played instead - or even slept.

Natalie and her sleepy buddy - it must be from the food coma.

Phoebe and her silly buddy. Smiles and laughs all around.

Julian feeds a child during lunch time.

Amanda and her two little buddies. The medical team had their hands full with all the children running around.

One of the children gives Julian a run for his money when it came to arm wrestling, while Trang and Anh Vi cheer him on. The children are actually really strong!

Day 2 of the M.E.M.O. 7G trip consisted of a day spent at the Thien Binh Orphanage in Dong Nai. The 7G goers were able to help the kids be kids, playing and having an awesome time with them. Overall, it was a day filled with fun, dental cleaning, and smiles all around.

Written by Johnson. All photos were taken by David.

On the bus ride, Nick waves at the children at the orphanage. This was not "goodbye" but only "see you later."