TCC Dental PartnerTrip

What Will We Do?

Our trip will be coordinated by JustHope, a Tulsa-based nonprofit organization that creates global partnerships between US groups and Nicaraguan communities. Our primary activity will be learning the realities of what Dental Care looks like in three different settings in Nicaragua: (1) the urban settings of the university city of León; (2) the coastal farming community of Chacraseca, and (3) the mountain coffee-picking community of La Flor.

We’ll visit a variety of dental health care settings including urban clinics, university classrooms, and rural clinics. We will work and learn with local dentists, nurses, and community leaders. We will also explore Nicaraguan culture, experience daily life, and of course, there will be some time for sightseeing!

Participants should be in good health, able to walk at least 1⁄4 mile, and must be pre-approved by the group leader.

Where Will We Stay?

We will sleep in dorm-style housing constructed for visiting groups and in modest hotels. We will eat tipico Nicaraguan food (mostly rice and beans) prepared by the communities, and travel by vans and busses. We’ll be traveling light: participants are limited to one carry-on per person for the trip, as supplies will be transported in our checked baggage.

What Will It Cost?

The cost will be $950 plus airfare (estimated at around $800) from Tulsa to Managua, Nicaragua. This covers lodging, meals, in-country transportation, translator expenses, and trip coordination and leadership. The only personal costs will be meals en route to and from Nicaragua, souvenirs, and any unscheduled activities or meals the team decides to add. We have limited space for this adventure.

Travel Arrangements

JustHope will be booking flight itineraries, so it is vital that participants pre-pay their airfare before flights can be booked. A few months before the trip, when prices seem to be the most favorable, the cost will be determined and that amount will need to be paid at that time, which may be earlier than than February 10 deadline. Airfare will probably cost around $800, but may be more or less.

Deadlines

ASAP - Aquire a US Passport. Passports must be valid for 6 months after your return date.
February 10 - $200, nonrefundable deposit is due with your registration in order to hold your spot. Also, the cost of airfare must be paid by this date - or earlier if prices are favorable.
March 11 - Full payment include airfare is due, along with paperwork and copy of passport.

Contacts

Group Leader - Instructor Debbie Batson, debbie.batson@tulsacc.edu
JustHope - Phil Morice Brubaker, phil@justhope.org.