Mali
HUMANITARIAN DENTAL MISSION TO MALI AFRICA
Dr. Brett Moyes has successfully led another dental expedition to the country of Mali in West Africa. The group of nineteen people included Drs. Laurence Palmer, Brandon Taylor, and Rob Ferrell, as well as one hygienist, Trudy Palmer. Fourteen other volunteers were of great service. These included dental assistants, a building contractor who was of great help in the construction of our tenth school, a nationally renowned behavioral profiler who donated money to build the school, and others who worked tirelessly for two weeks serving the Malian people.
The group departed Salt Lake City January 8th and returned January 20th 2010. In that short time, hundreds of people on the African continent were relieved of suffering and educated in oral hygiene. In this country of nearly 14 million people, there are only 52 practicing dentists. People of that great nation are literally dying from untreated dental infections. Through Yeah Samake’s efforts, national television announced the group’s arrival in advance. Hundreds of people traveled great distances for treatment. Some of these were patients who were treated last year and returned only to give thanks for having helped relieve them of suffering. Volunteers worked shoulder to shoulder with the one practicing dentist/oral surgeon in the area, Dr. Coulabaly, with whom the group shared techniques, and to whom hundreds of dollars of dental supplies were donated.
Safe and efficient passage in Mali was greatly facilitated by the Mali Rising Foundation. This foundation was created, and continues to be led by Yeah Samake, a native Malian and convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Yeah grew up in great poverty in the city of Ouelessebougou, Mali, but through much sacrifice he found a way to get an education earning his Bachelors and Masters degrees from BYU. It was there that he joined the Church and later received a personal assignment from President Hinckley to bring education and the gospel to his country. Yeah’s extensive connections with government officials, and his own authority as Mayor over forty-four villages made the arrival, the stay and departure from the country nearly seamless. Yeah is considering a run for the presidency of Mali in 2012.
The group gathered for what is believed to be the first two Sacrament meetings ever held in the country of Mali. Not only could one feel the spirit strongly in these meetings, but throughout the journey. Each individual of the group came to know during our stay that they were not working alone, but had the help of unseen hands and felt the guidance of the Spirit.
The placing of several Books of Mormon, formal meetings with the Minister of Health and the Minister of education, and sun up to sun down service helped move forward President Hinckley’s original commission to educate and enlighten Yeah’s fellow countrymen.
The next expedition there is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 27, 2010 through Jan. 8, 2011. Those needed are dentists, hygienists and other volunteers to come for this life changing experience. Anyone interested should contact Dr. Laurence and Trudy Palmer at 801-540-7984 (laurencepalmer@hotmail.com) or Dr. Brandon Taylor at 801-615-0620 (lethal1975@hotmail.com).
