Testimonial from Lauren Dorosz, Peace Corps Volunteer

Testimonial from Rosalinda, a dentist, on her first trip to Ecuador

Testimonial from Jim Orban, DDS

Testimonial from Kelly Derosier

They Serve in Her Honor, written by Kimberly Townsend
An article that appeared in The Gazette newspaper in Colorado Springs, 2008.
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This summer I had the opportunity to serve in Judith’s honor. Judith was a close family friend of mine, and I have grown up with her daughter Laura. I was very excited to volunteer with the foundation, and to travel outside the United States for my first time. Seeing first hand what Mark had created also proved privileging for me to witness. Needless to say, everything that I saw and experienced in Ecuador far exceeded my expectations.

I was fortunate enough to be able to meet Judith’s family while in Ecuador. For the first week of my trip, I stayed in Guaranda, where Judith’s 98-year-old father, “Papa Julio” lives. While at Papa Julio’s I began to see where Judith’s admiration and sincerity originated. Immediately upon arrival I felt at home and part of the family at Papa Julio’s; the care, attention, and overall love that Judith’s family showed me, is what I imagine Judith’s patients talk about when remembering the care she provided to so many. The experience with Judith’s family helped me to see and share the inspiration that Judith left.

The following week Mark, Laura, healthcare volunteers, our Ten Peace Corps volunteers, and myself began the medical mission. In five days we treated over 2,800 people in five locations near the Colombian boarder (which borders Ecuador). We traveled to a new city everyday providing dental, eye, and general healthcare to Ecuadorian people. I noticed very quickly the implications that are raised when entire populations are left without healthcare. Illnesses and injuries that can be fixed with a one-time treatment in America are detrimental in Ecuador. After this realization, I began to see that the treatments we were providing people were changing their lives. Mark has always been focused on one time treatments that will forever affect the Ecuadorian populations; and rightfully so, I was amazed that in seeing these men, women and children, we were able to eliminate, or prevent, illnesses that have been proven fatal. I took pride in the fact that we were able to change lives with every person that walked into our clinic.

One might think this work tiring, but I assure you the gratification felt after seeing and helping so many people overrides any feelings of fatigue, homesickness, and even hunger. I would strongly suggest that anyone who has the opportunity to travel to other countries to take that opportunity. Especially young adults who are yet to leave our countries borders, traveling will open your eyes to things you never thought existed. I encourage everyone to travel to a foreign country, you will learn quickly America is not a representation of the rest of the world, and the only way to fully understand what happens outside our borders is to experience it first hand.

The medical mission showed me the importance of what we were doing. I experienced and appreciated what Judith, her entire family, and now myself were dedicated to — providing healthcare and education to those in need. I now see that Judith inspired us all not to travel to Ecuador to help her country’s people, but to help everyone in need. She dedicated her life to helping others, regardless of where they were from, and now myself, and her family are committed to doing the same. Overall, I realized that Judith, and now the foundation simply inspired us all to be better people.

My experiences in Ecuador and working for the foundation changed my life. I cannot say that there was one incident that caused my life to change, but what I can say is that the witnessing of one person’s vision to make a difference, and the success in that vision, not only inspired me, but also changed my entire mindset. Judith had the vision to better her country and all who she met, by providing healthcare to those in need, and now volunteers nationwide are uniting in her efforts to do so. Mark had the vision to honor his wife’s memory by starting a foundation, and has managed to change countless Ecuadorian lives. I had no vision when I went to Ecuador, but I left with the determination and hope to forever help in Judith’s vision of providing healthcare and education to people around the world. I will continue to serve in her honor.