WOW is all I can say about my experience so far here in Jamaica!

The need for dental work is so high and it is hard to know that no matter how hard I am working to see as many patients as possible, I will never get through all of the people that are waiting in line outside. I just have been focusing on doing all that I can and the best that I can.

This is a trying time for my body. Even though I am a Floridian, the heat is tough to get used to. I am already adapting to it, however, and working in it is getting easier as well.

The clinic I am traveling to seeing patients at is 1.5 hours away from where we are staying (the others are 10 minutes and 30 minutes away) so I am really getting a good look at the landscape of Jamaica and some of the remote living situations.

The housing is so different from that in the States.They are what we would describe as “shacks” but to them they are the homes they built with their own two hands are extremely proud.

I got to visit a local school today that was near my clinic and talk to the children (grades 1-5) about dental hygiene. They knew A LOT about brushing and flossing and I was really impressed about how much education they are getting about teeth and keeping their teeth healthy.

That has been one of my favorite part so far.

That is the main thing I’ve learned about Jamaicans so far: they are very proud of who they are and what they have and most wouldn’t live life any other way.

It is truly an admirable way of life and makes me TOTALLY re-think my outlook on the life I live. I will never again take for granted the things that I have. I’ll post again later….ONE LOVE!

Molly Espino