BURLINGTON, Vt. -
It was all smiles as 32 members of the National Guard returned from their five day humanitarian civic assistance mission in Senegal, Africa. For Nurse Richard Lamb it was the teeth of 400 Senegalese he focused on fixing even though he had little training in dentistry.
"I saw the need so I jumped in and helped out best I could," Lamb said.
The help was needed since some of these infections were lethal. Nurse practitioner Monica Ploof helped treat other deadly diseases not often seen in the United States- like malaria and dysentery.
"You know I think there were lots of times we did save some lives while we were there," Ploof said.
Members of the mission were glad to grab their bags and head home but they're also happy about what they left behind.
"We brought over hundreds of tooth brushes we handed those out and they were gone within a couple of hours. And we held little classes for the children on how to use the tooth brushes," Lamb said.
They also left thousands of dollars worth of medication with Senegalese medical providers. Supplies that Ploof says are easily accessible at Fletcher Allen hospital where she works but she enjoyed this assignment in a place with far less resources.
"I was very happy to be there. It was a lot of hard work the hours were long but it was very gratifying and the people there were so happy and willing and accepting of us," Ploof said.
The 1800 Senegalese treated were lucky to have such outstanding professionals working with them. But so are we for having access to them every day.
