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Team Scugog dispenses health care to remote villages of Guatemala Continued from page 3 their team may be able to provide the Gua- temalans with more advanced techniques, as a group they also learn a lot from the villagers and local medical practitioners. It’s the hope of the Canadian team that after they leave the villages, the Guatema- lan doctors and dentists will be able to use their new knowledge and skills to help maintain the services provided to their people during the brief visit. For Dr. Cottrell, participating in the mission is a way for him to give back to people with a real need for fundamental health care that Canadians take for grant- “We (Canadians) just assume we will get all the medical and dental care we need, but they have nothing. The families we are assisting exist on less than one dol- lar a day and have been hard hit by hur- ricanes, mudslides and governments. was 20 years ago, while in his final year of medical school that Dr. Brown got his first experience working with the peo- ple of Kenya, Africa. And ever since that time, he’s always wanted to reach out and help those less fortunate. In 2005 he led a group of 24 pa- rishioners from the Church of the Ascension, Port Perry to Central America. While there they assist- ed in building a new church for a village. “T've always wanted to give back, for the blessing I have,” he says. “We have to do something to help these people.” Dr. Cottrell agrees and adds that “if we can give them hope, it gives them a reason to carry on.” This year’s team is very opti- mistic that their efforts will give the Guatemalans a sense of hope, knowing that others really do care. Not unlike his medical col- leagues, Dr. Cottrell has spent his entire adult life providing dental care in Port Perry and working with numerous dental organizations around the world. Now he says he'd like to spend some time helping at the grassroots level. * payment will be the smiles on their faces... hopefully with teeth,” he says with his own smile. Guatemala ‘Team Scugog’ are from front left, Dr. Elizabeth Rus- sell, Dr. Steve Russell, Charlene Dart. Back left, Dr. Tony Brown, , Sue Brown, Chris Ritskes, Dr. Jack Cottrell, Michelle Cottrell. Ab- sent, Anna Jewell. Now with one trip this year under their belts, and renewed enthusiasm, the Port Perry team is already planning for its next trip to Central Ameri- ca this October. This time, it’s the people of Nicaragua who will benefit from the skills and enthusiasm of this small team of professionals who are reaching out to help their fellow man. By J. Peter Hvidsten Focus on Scugog The “Key” to Travel Security SERVING f (4 Scucoa Siice 1997 SILCIED EWING SALE ys at its BEST $10.00 off or” vn 38 Water Street, Port Perry $83.00 (Reg. $93) Many 905-985-1197 PRES MARCH AB + or igh Commensities that honour theie past oe roenhe wie aight fe kei * by’ Sead $0 the tudents of Port Perry High Schoot en your Ontario Heritage Awards, £ fi Ps John O'Toole, MPP we bol he someone! open Rh wales you are epect- TAYLOR FORDER INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. mums 169 North Street, Port Perry * 905- 83 & Constituency " 75 Mng St E, Bowmanvile ON LC 1N4 10 FOCUS - MARCH 2008 focus@observerpub.ca