About From February 18th to March 5th, 2022, 6 dental students (Benjamin Bouchard, Kloanna Fetolli, Brea Fleming, Parker Johnson, Hend Massarani and Rachel McGue) lead by Drs. Gonzalez and Eber headed to Meru County, Kenya in order to provide preventative dental care to students of local elementary schools on the first University of Michigan GIOCH trip since the COVID-19 pandemic. Children without access to care were screened by the group and received education in oral hygiene and preventive treatments. Additionally, they gave a lecture to medical students of Kenya Methodist University. Kenya 2016 Kenya 2017 Kenya 2018 Kenya 2019 Kenya 2022 Kenya 2026 Travel Information & FAQ - Prior to the trip, students will need an eligible US passport, an Electronic Travel Authorization of Kenya (eTA) form, and GeoBlue insurance through UofM. Students are also recommended to visit their PCP to receive recommended immunizations and medications prior to travel.- The travel time to Meru, Kenya is approximately 2 days. This travel consists of about 16 hours of air travel from Detroit, MI to Nairobi, Kenya and a 7 hour ride in a van to arrive in Meru, Kenya. Who composes this team? The team consists of approximately fourteen D3 dental students, two dental hygiene students and four dental faculty members. This team works alongside students from the UofM pharmacy school as well. What are the travel dates? Travel dates vary year to year but it is usually about a 2.5 week trip the week before and during spring break. What are the accommodations like? The group stays in the Thiiri Cultural Center. Each student will share a room and bathroom/shower with one roommate. There is an onsite pool and volleyball courts. What is the food like? The Thiiri Cultural Center has a chef that cooks meals for the group. Students can also buy food from the local grocery stores. The food options can accommodate for any dietary restrictions What are the additional activities on the trip? Students have the option to participate in any of the following activities (these may vary year to year) -3 day safari in Samburu (for an additional cost of approximately $700) -Volleyball with the locals -Tour of a coffee processing plant -Authenic rug making -Travel to local markets -Tour of local hospitals -Visiting local indigenous tribes -Waterfall hike More information
