I took some really interesting pictures today, but I updated my phone and now I can't download them onto my computer, so I'll have to wait till I get home. I saw my last patient at the high school cabinet today and the school manager and several children came in to thank me and presented me with some very nice gifts and cards made by the children. They asked me not to forget them because now I was one of the family. I taught at a kindergarten and the children had prepared a wonderful little program. I took some videos but they will also have to wait.
Elder Maynes asked us to get some letters from the dental staff, the hospital administration, the mayor's office and schools expressing their gratitude for our being here. They hope to meet with the Mongolian ministry of health in UB along with Clyde, and present these letters along with a plea to allow more dentists and dental supplies to enter the country. I know the citizens and children of Choibalsan need it and would appreciate the expansion of oral health care in their city. They are wonderful people who do the best they can with what they have.
The dentist I have been working with, Battsetseg, is going to Ulaanbaatar to study oral surgery. The dental hospital will pay for her education in exchange for her coming back to work in the hospital for 10 years. They really need someone who specializes in surgery. This will be a big help. Her husband is in UB now going to medical school so they will leave their 1 year old baby with Battsetseg's mother until she finishes school in 2 years time. She hopes to be able to visit home every 2 months. This is the Mongolian way. Grandparents are very much involved in the raising of children. We see several of them in class whenever we teach parents in the kindergartens.
This has been a wonderful experience for me. I hope we have made a bit of a difference. I have met some wonderful, caring people who shall remain in my heart and mind.
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