World Health Services (WHS) has conducted mission trips in many countries. Each mission trip is unique and focused on serving the specific needs of the country we are serving.
2010
Tanzania, East Africa -
There were 22 people on our team headed to Africa this year. The first portion of our trip was spent in Chome where we have worked for several years. We conducted several clinics – general medical, dental, eye, OB/GYN. It was exciting to help the people from the surrounding villages with their health needs. Over a three day period we were able to see over 1,200 patients. Over 200 teeth were extracted and over 400 pairs of glasses were dispensed, as well as medications. We took medications with us and ran out of many of these supplies having to try to get more from a small pharmacy over an hour away.
One young man who came to our eye clinic this year had been a patient last year. His name is Godwin. His vision was so bad that he was not able to read his school books or see the chalkboard. The docs in our eye clinic were able to find glasses to help Godwin and he was able to continue in school. You see, he had been told he would have to go home and would not be able to continue with his school work because he couldn’t see to complete the work. So this year Godwin came to visit our clinic just to bring two bags of potatoes as a gift to the eye docs to thank them for allowing him to continue his education.
Godwin and his brother presenting the bags of potatoes to the eye docs.
2009
Tanzania, East Africa –
Our team of volunteers returned to Chome this year where they worked on a local construction project building a church) which was headed by WHS’s VP of Operations, Joe Wayner. A dental clinic was conducted by Dr. Jim Davis, where over 100 teeth were extracted. And an eye clinic led by Debi Verrill, Vice President of WHS, dispensed approximately 500 pairs of glasses.
During our visit, the team attended the Chome Secondary School’s first annual graduation ceremony, along with many other school activities where the students performed skits and musical presentations. We toured the over-crowded dormitories, which is a result of the school growing by leaps and bounds since the construction of the library/cafeteria building by WHS. We also spent time in the classrooms observing and talking with the students. One of the highlights was an afternoon when a few of the team took time to engage in playing sports with the students using frizbees, soccer balls, and balloons that we had brought along.
The team attended church in Arusha on the second weekend at the newly erected Lemara Seventh Day Adventist Church where the members honored both Dr. Bendall, President of WHS, and Martha Phillips, WHS board member, for their efforts in fundraising. In 2006, Dr. Bendall and Martha Phillips visited the original Lemara church (see photos from 2006 trip) and felt a burden to help build a new church in this community. There was a special presentation made for both of them.
2008
Tanzania, East Africa -Medical, dental and eye clinics. Construction project.
2007
Tanzania, East Africa –
The 2007 Chome Team were able to participate in an Eye Clinic conducted by Dr. Sally Mellgren, a Dental Clinic which was worked with 2 dental students from the Arusha University, and a medical clinic with Dr. Harald Geibel. While there, the team visited the local Lutheran Church and donated funds so the church would be able to have window panes put into their church. The team also participated in their weekly service. We visited the local Government Primary school and passed out pencils and paper to each of the students there, supplies which they desperately needed. The team was given a presentation by the students from the secondary school demonstrating their marching skills.
There was an evangelistic effort presented while the team was in Chome and there were approximately 35 baptisms. We also celebrated an authentic African wedding ceremony while there.
2006
Tanzania, East Africa –
Villagers from all across the region walked for hours to wait in line for the doctors and dentists who conducted clinics for three days in Chome, Tanzania. Hundreds of patients were seen in the medical clinic and over 100 teeth were extracted in the dental clinic.
In the village of Chome there is a Christian secondary school. On our first trip to Chome, we witnessed the children sitting outside under trees to eat their meals. No matter what the weather, rain or shine, these children would eat under the trees. We decided to help the school build a library/cafeteria building to take care of this need. Here are photos of some of the construction work being done on this building. The process is very primitive. Rocks are pounded into small stones and mixed for concrete. The bricks are made from mud. Water, sand, and other materials are carried to the construction site by the local women in buckets on their heads. Any supplies that cannot be made locally have to be brought up the mountain by truck with is expensive and difficult. Our team worked with the local residents to get this project started and the residents continued the process after we left. Dr. Bendall traveled to Chome to oversee the project periodically.
Richard Bendall, President, World Health Services arriving at Chome
Students from the Chome Secondary School greeting our volunteers as they arrive on top of the mountain. The school is located atop the South Pare Mountains in the village of Chome. This district is very poor and has no real medical clinic to handle their physical needs. Our medical/dental team is very much anticipated. It is very exciting to have a heroes welcome when we arrive – lots of singing and cheering.
“Spending a week in Chome, Tanzania was an incredible, life-changing experience for me. While I was not capable of helping with the health lectures or clinics, the interaction with the students, as well as participation in the little things was such a blessing. Not only did I make new friends and try something new, but I also broadened my worldview and acquired a taste for mission work that has impacted my life ever since. Working with World Health Services to change lives in Tanzania is one of the best memories I have. If God gives you the opportunity, get involved in doing his work overseas, either by making the trip yourself or contributing to a project. Your life will be changed if you allow God to use you.” Olivia Weber, team member
Olivia Weber, team member, with new friends in Chome giving her a chicken as a gift.
And also being given a basket of beans as a gift.
On our last day as we headed down the mountain, we stopped at a very remote area and conducted an eye clinic out of our bus. Word spreads and the line grows. People continue to come out of the hillside and appear from nowhere it seems. We have still not figured out how the word spreads, but they are anxious to receive glasses.
Board member, Martha Phillips, stands in front of the Lemara Seventh-day Adventist Church in Arusha, Tanzania. And in the next photo you see the newly constructed Lemara church, which was funded by donations made through WHS. Dr. Bendall, President of WHS, and Martha Phillips were invited to attend this church to speak while in Tanzania. When they saw the conditions and heard of the desires of the hearts of this congregation, they felt impressed to help raise the funds to construct a new church building where the members could conduct community efforts and expand. God blessed the efforts and you see the result here in these photos.
Galapagos Island -
Our team conducted health screenings and lectures for the general public on the Island. Along with these meetings, members of the team held a Vacation Bible School for the local children. In moments of spare time everyone enjoyed the sights around the Island.
2005
Greece –
Health Seminars for the general public.
Tanzania, East Africa -
Health seminars for the general public and eye examinations. Dispensed 1,000 pairs of glasses to people in need.
2004
La Ferrere, Buenos Aires, Argentina -
In addition to holding our health screening and lectures, our doctors were invited to speak to a group of nurses at the state hospital. The nurses were so eager to learn more about healthful living and affordable ways to help their patients live healthier lives!
The area we were in is very economically stressed with unemployment in the 80% range, and yet the people were so living and friendly. It was a blessing to serve them.
Plavdov, Bulgaria -
Health screening and seminars for the general public.
We had the privilege of helping about 200 people each night with health screening and about 300-400 people nightly came to hear health lectures presented by our team. The most popular lecture was “7 Steps to Add 11 Extra Years to Your Life”.
2003
Jose C. Paz, Buenos Aires, Argentina –
Health Screening and Seminars for the general public. We held our meetings in an upstairs area of a gymnasium, and tested about 1000 people. 400-500 people came each night for health lectures given by our team of doctors. It was wonderful to see the happy smiling faces. This area is struggling economically and our goal was to help them learn to eat a healthy diet and lower blood pressure and blood sugars by changing what they eat. This is something they can all do, and hopefully limit the need to seek medical care, which is very expensive.
2002
Varna, Bulgaria –
Health screenings and seminars for the general public.
1999
Greece -
Health seminars for the general public.
1998
China –
Lectures for medical professionals in Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai.
1997
South Africa –
Health seminars for the general public.
Greece –
Health seminars and screening for the general public.
1995
Ireland –
Health seminars and screening for the general public.
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