Dental Health Relief Project
Background
Greetings from CalPoly, San Luis Obispo. It is a joy to share with you how God is touching lives in Belize. We have partnered with Global Outreach Mission in fundraising, designing, and constructing a 3000 square foot non-profit dental facility in Independence, Belize. As fourth year students at CalPoly, we are working to meet our senior project requirements. However, we also wanted to pick a project that utilizes our talents to glorify God. Global Outreach Mission has handed over to us a project that will exceed our requirements and challenge us as missionaries. Last spring, we first heard of Global Outreach Mission's plan to provide dental care on the east coast of Belize. This project is much needed as the communities surrounding the city of Independence are one hundred miles from the nearest dental office. Most local residents have never been to a dentist. As a result, oral health is a regional crisis.
Project
A project team, made up of Global Outreach Missionaries and CalPoly seniors is currently in the design phase of a 3000 square foot, two-story, LEED inspired (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), multi-use medical facility on the east coast of Belize. The ground level will focus on dentistry and the upstairs will provide living quarters for a missionary doctor and family. The project will model a LEED-Gold certification in design and construction methods. One of our overall goals is to encourage environmentally-friendly construction in the region.
Why
As oral health is in crisis, our clinic will become the southernmost dental facility in the region. We are also planning for nearly a full service mobile unit to serve southern villages. There will be a nominal charge to patients with the option of forgiveness of debts for those who truly cannot afford it. The idea is not to replace the local medical economy, but help those who struggle with cost. We are collaborating with Belize Medical Authorities, who are thrilled with our project's potential.
Plan
Global Outreach Mission has purchased two adjacent lots in Independence. Two local men are now working on leveling and preparing the site, so the primary construction will begin June 2010. It is our goal to have a facility up and running by the following Christmas. Global Outreach Mission is currently seeking a dentist missionary, who will live upstairs and care for the community residents' dental and spiritual health.
