Migrant Families Receive Free Dental Care
During our dental mission on Virginia’s Eastern Shore in mid
July, our incredible volunteer team of medical professionals served 78 migrant
workers and five of their children. We partnered with the Eastern Shore
Rural Health System in providing services including fillings, cleanings
and extractions. Teresa was one of the many thankful patients.
Like many migrant workers picking vegetables in Virginia’s steamy
fields, Teresa and her husband Episanio came from Mexico. Originally,
Teresa was going to stay with their three children while Episanio spent
two years in the United States saving enough money for them to be able
to live in their homeland. But, shortly before he left their one-month-old
baby became ill and died. Heartbroken, Teresa did not have the emotional
strength to stay behind. The couple left their two daughters in a relative’s
care and set out to earn money quickly.
Once in the US, Teresa had a healthy boy named Junior. But the joy of
having him turned into concern as they discovered the company day-care
wasn’t in the baby’s best interest. Teresa quit working. This
loss of income meant the family would have to wait almost a total of three
years to return home.
In the midst of trying to save enough money, the couple couldn’t
afford basic dental care. They were relieved to find out Operation Blessing
was coming to their migrant camp. A large tent equipped with huge fans,
instruments and supplies was set up in the middle of an open field surrounded
by long rows of non-air conditioned barracks the workers called home.
With Junior on her hip, Teresa came up to the registration table. Once
she was in the examination chair, the dentist told the young mother that
two teeth needed to be filled. Without this free visit, the affected area
would have begun to hurt and it would have been impossible for Teresa
to pay over one-hundred dollars for a dentist appointment. During our
2-day mission the team also treated patients from South America, Haiti
and the Bahamas.
Prescribe Life!
Operation Blessing is sponsoring monthly medical missions in the United
States and addressing the needs of international patients every day! Millions
of children, their families and the elderly around the world are still
waiting for basic as well as life-saving medical care. You can help us
treat one patient at a time by giving your generous gift of $25 or more.
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