Fiji

I just got back from a wonderful venture to Fiji. As part of the Loloma Foundation, I went on a combined medical/dental mission to the northern Yasawa island of Yangeta. Our team which was composed of 6 dentists (who were truly extraordinary), 7 doctors (1 pediatrician, 1 family practitioner, 3 internists, 2 medical residents training in internal medicine), a critical care and emergency nurse (RN), an OB-GYN nurse practitioner, an acupuncturist who also is a master in XiGong and Tai Chi, a Feldenkrais practitioner/massage therapist, and a devoted support team of 6 individuals who functioned as pharmacists, dental assistants and administrative/general support personnel.

We were based on the island of Yangeta at a small resort called Navutu Stars. The dental team stayed on Yangeta and patients came via boats from neighboring islands to receive their care which varied from prevention and education to extractions and fillings. The medical team was mobile as we did not require equipment and power sources that was required for the dental work. We went to 6 islands and saw our patients in their community rooms or in local huts/homes. These islands are in a very remote part of Fiji far removed from dental or medical care and thus we were working with people who have minimal to no contact with these "basic" services for their entire lives.

The people are poor by our standards (as judged by possessions and things we take for granted like electricity, technology, and "stuff") but rich in many ways that we do not value (like sense of community, general happiness and gratitude for life. For many of my partners, this was their first experience in Fiji. For me, this was my second. All of us were "blown away" by the adventure. The people, the culture, the beauty, the nature and the general feeling amongst this community is eye-opening and enriching beyond words. We worked hard but no one ever complained. We all felt like we were blessed beyond belief to be in this magical world, serving these amazingly loving people, and bearing witness to a life that is both primitive and hard but simultaneously evolved and spiritually connected like nothing we have ever known.

I have been on a lifetime quest to learn about, study and attempt to pass on community to people with medical illness and disability. In my life as a doctor, I see below and through the physical symptoms to the emotional and social holes which create and maintain sickness and disability. The Fijians have their challenges in terms of rugged living, poverty (in our definition), and inaccessible resources (like medicines, medical and dental care, and things we all take for granted as basic human needs). However, they have a quality of life and relationships that is way too often lost here in our privileged world. They look after each other in an entirely different way. They love their clan even when they are old and infirm. They share what they have in ways that we cannot even fathom. They have a connection to their higher power (most are Christian or Methodist) that is far deeper and richer than most know or feel here in our country. They all exude a joy and happiness that I have rarely witnessed in my interactions. It is beautiful and it is nearly universal. The children radiate love and enthusiasm.

We went to serve and did so admirably but we were the true recipients of the prize -- a glimpse at the divine here on earth. I will share the details of this magical experience in the next few days. For now, I am just letting myself be overwhelmed by the power and love of these wonderful people living at the center of the earth.