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We are changing lives ....
one child at a time. |
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Dr. David Hassid working non-stop.
Dental Explorations is a project of Be'chol Lashon. The purpose of this mission is to provide dental care to "at risk" communities. Since the fall of Idi Amin, the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda have been involved in a difficult struggle to rebuild their once vibrant community and leadership. During the brutal reign of Amin, Judaism was outlawed and the community was decimated. The Abayudaya Jews that once numbered in excess of 8,000 members were reduced to a remnant of barely 300 steadfast individuals. Today, with freedom of religion restored in Uganda, this community is rapidly rebuilding. Dental Explorations has established a program to ensure a continual supply of dental and non-dental personnel to provide much needed oral health care services in the Abayudaya Dental Care Center as well as organizing mobile dental outreach programs to the Abayudaya and neighboring Muslim and Christian schools in Mbale.
Adults, "camping out", waiting for the clinic to open.
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He thinks he is next.
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The first digital x-ray taken in Mbale.
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Lining up for dental care.
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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First "trip" to the dentist.
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Q: What is the cost for the trip?
A: These are the projected expenses for the Feb., 2018 mission based on the cost of our July, 2017 trip.
Projected expenses: (subject to change..these were the charges for the most recent trip in July)
Evacuation and medical insurance = $65
Vaccinations and anti-malaria medication = ? (Yellow fever vaccination is required for entrance into Uganda).
Air Transportation to Uganda = $800 - $1000
Entrance visa from the US = $50
Transport from airport to Speke Hotel in Kampala = $40/taxi (may be shared if arriving on same plane).
All other ground transportation = $400
Lodging at Speke Hotel in Kampala= $125 for 1 night (Shared room) = $63
Lodging at Mbale Resort Hotel = $94 /night for 7nights. (Shared room = $55)
Hiking at Sipi Falls = $25
Whitewater Rafting (includes breakfast, snack, and dinner) = $120 Meals at Dining at hotels or area restaurants = $10-$18/meal.
Registration with Uganda Dental Council = $125 for assistants, $225 for dentists
Clinical Fee: includes fuel, gratuities for Abayudaya assistants in clinic, 5 lunches at the Abayudaya Guesthouse = $150
All breakfasts included.
Bar tab = ?
We usually have extensive Fri. evening meal provided to us by the community. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options.
Bring personal examination gloves for 4 clinic days (for your own use) = ?
A: These are the projected expenses for the Feb., 2018 mission based on the cost of our July, 2017 trip.
Projected expenses: (subject to change..these were the charges for the most recent trip in July)
Evacuation and medical insurance = $65
Vaccinations and anti-malaria medication = ? (Yellow fever vaccination is required for entrance into Uganda).
Air Transportation to Uganda = $800 - $1000
Entrance visa from the US = $50
Transport from airport to Speke Hotel in Kampala = $40/taxi (may be shared if arriving on same plane).
All other ground transportation = $400
Lodging at Speke Hotel in Kampala= $125 for 1 night (Shared room) = $63
Lodging at Mbale Resort Hotel = $94 /night for 7nights. (Shared room = $55)
Hiking at Sipi Falls = $25
Whitewater Rafting (includes breakfast, snack, and dinner) = $120 Meals at Dining at hotels or area restaurants = $10-$18/meal.
Registration with Uganda Dental Council = $125 for assistants, $225 for dentists
Clinical Fee: includes fuel, gratuities for Abayudaya assistants in clinic, 5 lunches at the Abayudaya Guesthouse = $150
All breakfasts included.
Bar tab = ?
We usually have extensive Fri. evening meal provided to us by the community. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options.
Bring personal examination gloves for 4 clinic days (for your own use) = ?
Synagogue at Nabagoye Hill
Q: How many members are there in the Abayudaya community?
A: The Abayudayah number about 2,000 individuals, residing in eight separate communities, with six synagogues. At Nabagoye, Rabbi Gershom conducts the service in Hebrew. The Haftorah is chanted in Luganda, the local tribal language. The prayers are harmonized with unique Abayudaya African melodies. The service is a veritable "rock concert" of prayer. After the Shabbat Service the community gathers in front of the Rabbi's house for the communal meal of goat and sheep. A Torah study session follows.
A: The Abayudayah number about 2,000 individuals, residing in eight separate communities, with six synagogues. At Nabagoye, Rabbi Gershom conducts the service in Hebrew. The Haftorah is chanted in Luganda, the local tribal language. The prayers are harmonized with unique Abayudaya African melodies. The service is a veritable "rock concert" of prayer. After the Shabbat Service the community gathers in front of the Rabbi's house for the communal meal of goat and sheep. A Torah study session follows.
Q: Do I have to be in the dental field to participate?
A: Absolutely not! There is an urgent need for audiologists, pediatricians, nurses, educators, social workers, students, or just about anyone who feels they want to reach out to this community.
Our safari guide speaks 15 languages.
Q: What language is spoken in Uganda?
A: English is the official language of the country and is learned in school. Most Ugandans speak several tribal languages including Luganda and Swahili.
Q: Is a dental/medical license necessary to deliver treatment?
A: The Tobin Health Center is licensed by the Uganda Council of Medicine and Dentistry. As a volunteer dentist you be able to be licensed by credentials. All assistants must also be registered with the council.
A: English is the official language of the country and is learned in school. Most Ugandans speak several tribal languages including Luganda and Swahili.
Q: Is a dental/medical license necessary to deliver treatment?
A: The Tobin Health Center is licensed by the Uganda Council of Medicine and Dentistry. As a volunteer dentist you be able to be licensed by credentials. All assistants must also be registered with the council.
Kayla "hanging out" with the locals.
Q: What vaccinations do I need?
A: Uganda requires no vaccinations if you are travelling from the U.S. It is prudent however, to check with a travel medicine clinic or infectious disease physician. Minimally, it is suggested that you receive yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A and B. immunizations. Malaria medication is necessary. Malarone is the recommended drug of choice.
Q: What is the currency in Uganda?
A: Uganda uses the Uganda shilling. One dollar is worth approx. 2,965 Uganda shillings. American dollars are widely accepted and preferred. The dollars must be crisp and clean with no tears or markings. They also must be dated from the year 2006 or later, no exceptions! Only Visa Cards are accepted by merchants and there is a 10% fee added in addition to the currency exchange fees charged by your bank. At the ATMs Visa Cards are accepted. Do not rely though on ATMs or the vendor terminals to always function. BRING CASH!
Q: What are the hotel accommodations like?
A: Accommodations in the past have been at hotels in Kampala and in Mbale. The hotels have great but slow service, friendly smiling faces, good food, and are clean and comfortable. Mosquito nets are provided in the rooms. The hotels in Mbale have a pool and spa and are 4-star. Do not make reservations online. Reduced group rates are available.
A: Uganda requires no vaccinations if you are travelling from the U.S. It is prudent however, to check with a travel medicine clinic or infectious disease physician. Minimally, it is suggested that you receive yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A and B. immunizations. Malaria medication is necessary. Malarone is the recommended drug of choice.
Q: What is the currency in Uganda?
A: Uganda uses the Uganda shilling. One dollar is worth approx. 2,965 Uganda shillings. American dollars are widely accepted and preferred. The dollars must be crisp and clean with no tears or markings. They also must be dated from the year 2006 or later, no exceptions! Only Visa Cards are accepted by merchants and there is a 10% fee added in addition to the currency exchange fees charged by your bank. At the ATMs Visa Cards are accepted. Do not rely though on ATMs or the vendor terminals to always function. BRING CASH!
Q: What are the hotel accommodations like?
A: Accommodations in the past have been at hotels in Kampala and in Mbale. The hotels have great but slow service, friendly smiling faces, good food, and are clean and comfortable. Mosquito nets are provided in the rooms. The hotels in Mbale have a pool and spa and are 4-star. Do not make reservations online. Reduced group rates are available.
Q: What do we eat?
A: The food in the hotels is quite good. Fresh Nile Perch is the dish of choice. There are many vegetarian and gluten free options available. All raw fruits and vegetables are washed in water that has been boiled. Breakfast is always complementary. Main courses run between $8 - $12. Wine is only $7.00/bottle. The best meals though are prepared by Iron Chef Rachel, over coals in the traditional manner at the Abayudaya Guest House... Her cuisine is authentic Ugandan, only $5... all you can eat! On Shabbat, freshly "shechted" sheep and goat are served..... click on the video as lunch is being served.
A: The food in the hotels is quite good. Fresh Nile Perch is the dish of choice. There are many vegetarian and gluten free options available. All raw fruits and vegetables are washed in water that has been boiled. Breakfast is always complementary. Main courses run between $8 - $12. Wine is only $7.00/bottle. The best meals though are prepared by Iron Chef Rachel, over coals in the traditional manner at the Abayudaya Guest House... Her cuisine is authentic Ugandan, only $5... all you can eat! On Shabbat, freshly "shechted" sheep and goat are served..... click on the video as lunch is being served.
Q: How far from the airport is Kampala and Mbale?....... where is Nagabagoye Hill located?
A: The airport is 40 minutes from Kampala where we spend the evening. The drive to Mbale is another four hours. Nabagoye Hill is is about 10 minutes outside of Mbale. Nile River Explorers is about an hour and a half away from Kampala, in the town of Jinja, which is on the way to Mbale.
Q: Are mosquitos a problem?
A: Mosquitos are not a problem but malaria is a problem. The mosquitos that carry malaria are only active at dusk and night time. Short term travellers are protected by antibiotics. There are no preventive measures the local population can take except to sleep under mosquito nets.
Q: What is the weather like?
A: Uganda has two seasons, a dry season and a wet season. During the wet season temperatures are about five degrees cooler than the dry season, high seventies to low eighties versus low eighties to mid eighties. Mbale is located at significant elevation which moderates the heat and humidity.
Q: What should I bring over?....... what is most needed in the community?
A: The community has many needs but our mission is here is to address one specific issue. There are charitable groups that are involved with other projects. Your commitment to actively support this community is sufficient and appreciated. Under no circumstances should laptops, i-phones, food, candy, money and loans be offered or any promises made.
Q: The Abayudaya were runners-up in the Grammy Awards several years back under the classification of World Music. Paul Simon was the artist who beat them out. A Photo Album was also made about the community. Where can they be purchased?
A: The airport is 40 minutes from Kampala where we spend the evening. The drive to Mbale is another four hours. Nabagoye Hill is is about 10 minutes outside of Mbale. Nile River Explorers is about an hour and a half away from Kampala, in the town of Jinja, which is on the way to Mbale.
Q: Are mosquitos a problem?
A: Mosquitos are not a problem but malaria is a problem. The mosquitos that carry malaria are only active at dusk and night time. Short term travellers are protected by antibiotics. There are no preventive measures the local population can take except to sleep under mosquito nets.
Q: What is the weather like?
A: Uganda has two seasons, a dry season and a wet season. During the wet season temperatures are about five degrees cooler than the dry season, high seventies to low eighties versus low eighties to mid eighties. Mbale is located at significant elevation which moderates the heat and humidity.
Q: What should I bring over?....... what is most needed in the community?
A: The community has many needs but our mission is here is to address one specific issue. There are charitable groups that are involved with other projects. Your commitment to actively support this community is sufficient and appreciated. Under no circumstances should laptops, i-phones, food, candy, money and loans be offered or any promises made.
Q: The Abayudaya were runners-up in the Grammy Awards several years back under the classification of World Music. Paul Simon was the artist who beat them out. A Photo Album was also made about the community. Where can they be purchased?
Rabbi Gershom and Seth rehearsing.
A: Here are the links: CDs and Photo Album
Click for the video link to Rosh Hashanah Celebrations in Nabagoye.
Check back frequently as the website is continually being updated..... safe journeys.
Click for the video link to Rosh Hashanah Celebrations in Nabagoye.
Check back frequently as the website is continually being updated..... safe journeys.