Guatemala 2022 - Mayan Tribes
Team-5 Guatemala Rio Dulce 2022
Interviews
Kenna Stephenson
At 0200 AM the mission begins as team members deploy by bus, taxi, or car to their nearest airport to catch the first of multiple flights. Springing from England, Australia, Canada, Peru, and the USA, Team-5 members ready themselves emotionally and physically to face the unique conditions of remote Guatemala in providing much-needed medical and dental care to the forgotten ones of El Mundo Maya. Two team members will dedicate a day in teaching workshops and the veterinarian is on a fact-finding mission to determine future projects. In their Team-5 issued shirts, sporting their Yeti backpacks, and hauling their Snugpak, Tasmanian Tiger, and Mountain Hard Ware bags crammed with medical and dental equipment, teaching materials, and a few personal items, the new Team-5 converges on Guatemala City. Most members have never met-the common denominator and all of them personally know the man who had the vision to create Team-5 Medical Foundation in 2011-Eric Linder who is leading his 15th mission. Near the mission’s conclusion, team members graciously participated in brief private interviews in this rare glimpse revealing their feelings and motivations.
Aaron is the first veterinary surgeon to accompany Team-5 on an international mission and is tasked with an exploratory role to determine future actions. Initially scheduled for Team-5’s mission to Costa Rica in 2020 which was abruptly canceled due to the pandemic, he eagerly accepted Eric’s invitation sharing that he “wanted to get out of his bubble and do something out of his ordinary routine in seeing animals that have never seen a vet”. He breaks into a huge smile when asked about what he most enjoyed- “the smiles on the kid’s faces!” With his radiant smile and warm personality, it is impossible not to smile back! The biggest surprise for Aaron is the treks to get to the villages as he did not imagine that would be so remote and deep in the jungle, and he shares that “helping them get what they need makes it mean much more.”
Chris, an ICU physician, traveled from Sydney, Australia to join his second Team-5 mission. The youngest team member is attracted to the opportunity of “taking medicine to its absolute basics as I work in a daily environment where everything is modern.” Practicing medicine in the remote regions of Guatemala offers “an incredible way to see the country and culture”. He most enjoys the travel and meeting “like-minded team members in the unique situation of providing patient care in remote situations and experiences.” Chris is most surprised by the streamlined organization and ease of getting to people who desperately need care. Chris generously shared his photographic talent to enhance the mission.
Bryan, a Navy veteran, and Air Force reservist with extensive patient care experience, is on his second Team-5 mission to Guatemala and is excited about the addition of dental and veterinary care in expanding patient care, saying the mission is “very about medicine, and about making it happen!” He most enjoys the transit to and from the villages which gives him time to put things in perspective and “I can wrap my head around what I might see and how I might best help patients” he shares with palpable compassion. The biggest surprise of this mission for him was how “rapidly and strongly the team integrated together.” Bryan amazed the team with incredible acrobatic dives into the river which revived our spirits after long hot clinic days!
Eric, Team-5’s Director is leading his 15th medical mission and sixth mission to Guatemala’s remote regions. He disclosed that this mission is less stressful due to building on previous work and Team-5’s positive impact with it being well-known and welcomed by village leaders. His extensive planning includes transport, translators, lodging, food and logistically maximizing the team’s skills. This mission includes two new locations, one village which has never received professional medical care according to an 86-year-old first-time patient. Eric smiles and quickly answers that the weather is a big surprise for him with all clinics experiencing a reprieve from the rain despite the rainy season. “Having a break in the rain makes it better for the team and the patients. “
Eugenio, a recently retired Admiral of the Peruvian Navy, was integral to Team-5’s Peruvian missions, and he jumped at the chance to participate in this mission sharing “I love to help people in remote areas”. He likes the fulfillment experienced by patients and team members and especially “receiving a grateful smile.” His surprises include the planning, great sponsors, excellent organization, and equipment quality, and tremendous help of volunteers.
Burjor, a UK dentist, and professor is on his second Team-5 mission. The gregarious dentist is effervescent with a musical laugh and sense of humor buoyed by endlessly entertaining Ghandi quotes for every situation. He says, “for centuries I have traveled and worked in the humanitarian field but have not been able to go on many missions due to the long periods of time required…Team-5 Rio Dulce is perfect because it is short, compact, organized, and fits my lifestyle and skill set.” He found fulfillment in the ability to “get to rural communities who would not have any dental care” and that “I know it is painful and unpleasant for the patients at times and seeing their improved dental condition brings satisfaction.” He further delighted in the positive outcomes of his full-day workshop, Dealing with Facial Trauma in an Austere Environment, and seeing the students improve and apply their knowledge gained. The biggest surprises for him are the “rapid progress of the students, and that in the jungle conditions-the kids are incredibly polite.”
Christine, one of two female physician team members states that the timing of the mission worked perfectly for her in her second mission with Team-5. She discloses further attraction to the adventure and remoteness, something she is well familiar with as having climbed 6 of the world’s seven summits! I am in awe of my roommate and her casual mention of this feat. She further reports that the small team approach and atmosphere are appealing. She has most liked the remote and unique villages, some having never seen doctors or dentists along with “the team spirit and comfortable base camp in learning from other disciplines and shared experiences.” What most amazes her is “how easily people from different countries and different backgrounds can easily get along and succeed for common goals.”
For me, the invitation to return to the Rio Dulce with Team-5 was a dream come true in heartwarming memories of Team-5’s inaugural mission here in 2012 in which my husband, Dr. Douglas Stephenson, and my youngest daughter, Brenna Ann Stephenson, also participated. Her journal written on banana leaf paper chronicles our adventures from her 16-year-old perspective and is part of Team-5 archives in Eric’s office. I didn’t write this on banana paper, yet the authenticity and wonder of this experience are just as fresh as our first visit here. Open-air clinics in collaboration with local village leadership in creative physical spaces and circumstances is exhilarating and fulfilling, and the unique perspectives of my workshop participants ranging from teens to seniors are indelible. What most surprised me was the fact that I became a patient of Team-5 myself! I was the second team member to experience an acute viral illness that was incapacitating for 24 hours. Bryan expertly started my IV for hydration, Christine became my physician and developed a treatment plan including administering intramuscular injections while Eric monitored my condition and fitness for return to patient care. The other shock is my ability to physically accomplish the requirements of this mission. While working in remote New Zealand, I dismissed my Maori patients’ warnings of avoiding a haunted lake, and eagerly planned a holiday. Queen’s Birthday ended in a freak accident with multiple fractures and severe complications. The following years required multiple hospitalizations, and I struggled to walk even a few steps. The idea of walking in jungles seemed impossible as I descended into a world of immobility and excruciating pain. Slowly I recovered and my dream of returning to the Rio Dulce endured. I now live in the high desert and train with a Hyperwear Elite Vest yet there is nothing like the triple canopy jungle heat, mud, muck, and rushing water to fully prepare. Eric and I had a backup plan if I could not tolerate the walking. The Miracle of El Mundo Maya is that we never had to use it!
