Dear Donors,

First off, we'd like to express our sincere gratitude. This past week we got to serve the community of Chichicastenango, and we couldn't have done it without your support.

Our clinic days started off with early morning hikes, trekking up and down the steep hills of the rural highlands and exploring the bustling town. The rest of the day was spent treating patients. With the diligence and compassion of our team, we were able to accommodate the needs of hundreds of patients in a short period of time. They inspired us with their love and strength that seemed to persist despite their many hardships. In addition to providing care in a clinical setting, each afternoon a group of us had the opportunity to visit a local school to discuss oral hygiene and healthy habits. It was also a time for us to just hang out, sing and dance with them. We will never forget their smiles and loving hugs. 

With your help, we were able to make a positive impact, learn and grow from one another, and experience meaningful moments that'll last a lifetime. And for that, we thank you.

Sincerely,

2017 Mission Trip Team Detroit Mercy ASDA

Thank you for all the support thus far! We’d like to express our sincere gratitude for the donations you’ve recently made for our mission trip. Our mission is to serve the community of Chichicastenango by providing dental care and increasing oral health awareness through education and instruction, in hopes of making a positive impact.

A little more about Chichicastenango: It’s one of the poorest areas in Guatemala with approximately 70% of the population living in severe poverty. The vast majority have never received dental treatment before so there’s a huge need for dental care. Decay is a big problem and, thus, many individuals come to the clinic in pain.

During our time there, we plan to treat approximately 100 patients each day, providing the proper care and relieving them of pain. Through oral health instruction and showing the importance of diet and dental hygiene we hope we can raise awareness in a meaningful way.

We are just one week away! Currently, we are in the midst of packing our supplies and instruments and making our final preparations. Your contributions have helped reduce the cost of supplies and travel; however, we can still use your help to reach our goal. The cost of the trip for each student is still quite high and we’d really appreciate the continued support. There's only a couple of days left to donate. Please consider helping us by spreading the word and sharing our cause with friends and family. Thank you!

***All donations are tax-deductible and you will receive a gift acknowledgement and tax receipt from the University of Detroit Mercy.