Since Dr. Bud’s two-week-long mission trip to Haiti last January and February 2010, he has been more focused on going back to the roots of his Baja, California service.Patients always question Dr. Bud, "Are you still going to Baja with all the problems with the drug cartels and crime?"His answer is always, "Absolutely!"
The areas Dr. Budincich serves are far south of the problems that are found in the border towns.Border towns such as Juarez, Mexico, Tijuana, Mexico, and other bordering cities have had the majority of the cartel power struggle issues.The teams Dr. Bud leads into Mexico have not had any issues, nor have they witnessed any type of hostility or non-cooperation on the part of the Mexico government.With the great needs in Mexico at the current time due to the financial crisis around the world, places like Baja, California, suffer the most.They have also suffered from a drastic decrease in tourism down there, because of the cartel activity at the borders.Many United States citizens are afraid to travel into Mexico, and are simply spending their vacations and travel dollars elsewhere.This has affected all businesses with a trickle-down effect on the locals and especially the poorest of the poor.
The services of Manos Con Alas, Dr. Budincich’s non-profit ministry, have never been more needed than in the past two years.Attendance at clinics has swelled in the last few clinics especially because of the great needs of the people, and many have moved home from the United States to Mexico in order to secure work and a lower cost of living in Mexico.Dr. Budincich has seen reverse immigration occurring at the current time with many having to return home to their roots in order to live and care for parents or relatives.They are able to earn money in Mexico, sustaining them with basic food and shelter that with the American cost of living is becoming impossible for them.
Recent clinic trips since the last Newsletter have included a March 2010 specialty eye clinic in San Quintin at the Hospital de Buen Pastor.This clinic served over 200 people, including 8 eye surgeries and over 200 pairs of prescription eyeglasses.This team was made up of the Flying Samaritans as well as an organization named Colorado Airlift Outreach, of Montrose, Colorado, and Dr. Bud’s Manos Con Alas team.
Last June 2010 Dr. Budincich and his team of pilots, doctors, and aircraft flew to the remote areas south of Ensenada, Mexico, including the cities of Santa Tomas and San Vicente.Medical consultations, chiropractic treatments, prescriptive eyewear, and full restorative dentistry were provided to upwards of 200 people over the clinic weekend.
On September 17th to 19th, 2010, Dr. Budincich volunteered his two mission aircraft and his own services, again coordinating with the Flying Samaritans for a specialty eye clinic at the Hospital de Buen Pastor in San Quintin, Mexico.Well over 200 eye patients were again served, including 10 cataract and pterygium surgeries.This clinic included a group of optometrists, lay opticians (including Dr. Budincich), ophthalmologists, and surgical assistants.The optometry area led by Dr. Wes Cooper of Montrose, Colorado, and a local Mexican optometrist, whom together dispensed well over 200 pairs of prescription eyeglasses and an equal number of sunglasses to the masses that came to the clinic.
The most recent clinic Dr. Budincich flew to participate in was on the weekend of October 22nd to 24th, 2010, when a team of two aircraft flew into Ensenada where the mission vans picked them up and drove them to the sites in Santa Tomas and San Vicente successively on Friday and Saturday.On Sunday morning, October 24th, the team left early at about 8:00 a.m. from San Vicente and rendezvoused with another organization from Chupultepec in a hillside village church near Maneandero, a city 10 miles south of Ensenada, within the Ensenada bay area.They were escorted up muddy roads and past unimproved land to a small village 5 miles off the main highway in the foothills of Ensenada.In 2 ½ hours dentist Jovan Plamenac performed open air dental examinations on adults and children with nothing more than a folding chair, a leaned-back armchair, and the sunlight as a lamp.Here in the primitive setting outside of a local church, Dr. Plamenac diagnosed many needed dental procedures and recommended treatment that needs to be hereafter performed.Dr. Budincich performed over 25 chiropractic adjustments, and he and son Nick Budincich along with Nick’s classmate Dominic Moreth performed lay optometry exams within that 2½ hour period of time.
Dr. Budincich’s son Nick, a sophomore at Loyola High School, with his classmate/friend Dominic had learned basic dental assisting from Dr. Plamenac, Nick’s great uncle, as well as the art of dispensing simple prescription eyewear during Friday and Saturday clinics before working with me on Sunday.Nick and Dominic were able to receive classroom community service credit for their trip to Baja, California, through Loyola High School’s program of community outreach.They were able to take Friday, the 22nd, off from school and receive classroom and community service credit, although they would have attended the trip anyway.
Dr. Budincich encourages young people, particularly chiropractic students, dental students, medical students, optometry students, and, of course, licensed professionals themselves, to accompany him on these short-term clinics.The clinics usually encompass all day Friday through all day Sunday, returning Sunday evening.Each volunteer must pay his own way to Mexico for the privilege of serving the people less fortunate than themselves.No money whatsoever is accepted for any services or eyeglasses dispensed by anyone on any team.Dr. Budincich’s non-profit organization "Manos Con Alas Ministries" has both State of California and Federal tax benefits to donors.
If any of you reading this article know an interested dentist, medical doctor, chiropractor, optician, or optometrist who may want to make this kind of trip in the future to help those less fortunate, have them contact Dr. Budincich directly or by email.You may find a link to Dr. Budincich’s non-profit at www.drbud.com for information.We look forward to seeing you possibly participate on some of our future trips.
The Manos Con Alas team and the Flying Samaritans of California
teamed up with Colorado Airlift Outreach of Montrose and ICARE of Yuma, AZ
to put on a wondreful clinic to the poor of the San Quintin Valley, BAJA.
Over 200 eye patients were served including 10 requiring surgery for
cataracts and pterygiums and the rest for prescription eyeglasses and
sunglasses. 28 volunteers made the trip in 8 small aircraft. We based at
Rancho Magana airstrip a nice 5000 ft hard packed dirt runway at the edge
of HWY 1 in Baja 10 miles north of the city of San Quintin.
The next Specialty Eye Clinic is scheduled for may
2011 at the same place
I became an herbalist and massage therapist to help people. When I heard of the earthquake in Haiti I didn't think there was much I would be able to do other than field phone calls and box supplies for the Red Cross. As always when I hear of people in need, whether near or far, I am moved to try and help out in some way. I have in-laws who are Haitian and were missing relatives so this disaster hit home for my family. Because I am a new volunteer for the RC the more experienced volunteers and those who spoke Creole were given preference for understandable reasons. Other than donating supplies and money there didn't seem to be much I was able to do in the way of assisting the earthquake victims. I put out the prayers for a way to help and within a couple of days my prayers were answered.
A long time friend and new massage client called and asked if I would be willing to take a last minute massage for a chiropractor who was flying relief supplies in and out of Haiti. Of course I was honored to be able to contribute in any way and made an appointment for him for the next day. When I arrived for the massage I met Brenda from Burners Without Borders and Grassroots for Haiti and Michael N Budincich, D,C, Founder, CEO, and President of Manos Con Alas (Hands With Wings), a 501c3 Christian Mission that is dedicated to providing medical services to impoverished areas in the U.S., and other countries in need. Brenda is a vibrant young woman whose energy has no boundaries. Dr. Mike is a bear of a man whose charisma and kindness fill a room no matter how big.
While I worked on Dr. Mike he told me more about his mission work and what motivated him to help other people. Here's the link for more info on Manos Con Alas: www.manosconalas.com.
Brenda is coordinating with all the NGO's who are here in the U.S. and on the ground in Haiti and the locals who want to volunteer phone time and make personal donations. She is absolutely amazing. She's put 3 different medical teams on the ground in Haiti, arranged for safe transport to and from the disaster zone and made it possible for thousands of pounds of supplies to be delivered to earthquake victims. All in the last 9 days. The link to the organizations she's with are: Burners Without Borders www.burnerswithoutborders.org/ and Grassroots Haiti www.grassrootshaiti.org. BWB is a 501c3, Grassroots status is pending.
If you live in the Tri-County area of South Florida I will pick up any supplies you can donate. We need baby formula, baby bottles, water, crutches, slings, bandages and antibiotics. Message me, I will get back to you within a few hours. If you have medical skills and would like to donate your time in Haiti contact the above organizations.
24 volunteers and 5
aircraft service 219 patients in an eye clinic in San Quintin BCN this past
March 19-21. Dr Budincich served at optometrist, optician, and translator
fitting prescription eyeglases and sunglasses to indigenous people of
Mexico. 14 eye surgeries were performed including 6 cataract proceedures
and 8 pterygium excisions.
This was a joint clinic with
Coloraado Airlift Outreach, Manos Con Alas Ministries, and Gold
Coast/Foothill Chapter of The Flying Samaritians of Southern and Central
California
Dr Budincich just returned from Haiti where he made 4 trips round trip from
Ft Lauderdale, FL. He flew to Florida and then partnered with other non-
profits to provide medications, orthopedic supplies, supports, and Dr Nd
nurse personnel to small airstrips outside of Port au Prince, Haiti. Dr Bud
flew supplies to Jacmel, an orthopedic surgeon to Les Cayes, and many
planeloads of meds to Jacmel including a water purification system. Dr bud
was gone Jan 23 to Feb 7, 2010.
Next trip is San Quintin Eye Clinic Mar
19-21 Baja CA Text
Here are the patient numbers from the weekend outeach of
December 4-6, 2009.
Friday 12-4, Santo Tomas (Rancho El
Consuelo)
Consults
Doctor - 31
Dentist - 16
Chiro - 15
Glasses - 20
Sun Glasses - 50
Sat.
12-5, San Vicente Mission Base
Doctor - 27
Dentist - 49
Chiro - 22
Glasses - 30
Sun Glasses - 50
58 consults for MD
65 consults for Dentists
37 chiropractic treatments
50 pairs prescription
eyeglasses dispensed
100 pairs of mens and womens sunglasses
dispensed
The following is list of who Dr. Bud had on his
team who flew in in three differnet airplanes.
Dr. Mike Budincich, DC
Laci Hendricks DC
Jovan
Plamenac DDS
Maria Carvajal
Kevin Baines, pHD
Ray Bouchereau, DC
Dr.
Martin Yu, DD- Dentist
Trey Jangaard- Dental
Student
Mike Rogerson- Chiropractic student
Dr. Tamez is writing a
report for the weekend and will send it directly to you (Kristi)
I feel we had a good weekend and look forward to Feb. 5-7
God Bless You
Dave & Lynne Johnson
Serving With Mexican Medical Ministries
San Vicente, Baja California, Mexico
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
971-239-5334 (Salem, OR)
619-955-7247 (San
Diego, CA)
All calls are forwarded to San
Vicente
The Manos con Alas Cessna TU206 travelled to San Quintin for an
eye clinic at the Hosptal de Buen Pastor in San Quintin. Dr Michael
Budincich and Maria Carvajal, a translator, joined the Colorado Airlift
Outreach team of Ed Von Deldon and Dr Wes Cooper of Montrose COlorado to
serve 138 patients the weekend of Oct 17-19. Dr Budincich acted as an
optician and fit over 50 pairs of eyeglasses on Saturday. There were many
blinded by diabetes and by trauma. There were some who had severe glaucoma
with one man with a left eye pressure of 70 lbs PSI instead of the normal
10-14 lbsPSI. He was irreparably blind.
The
trip went through Sunday and Dr Bud and Maria flew home to El Monte
via Ensenada on a IFR flight plan.
Here are the revised patient visit numbers for the Feb. 1-3 medical outreach in San Vicente, Baja California Norte, as seen by members of Manos Con Alas Ministries outreach team.
55 - Dental patients seen
60 - Chiropractic patients seen
25 - optical patients Glasses dispensed
We held medical services in 4 locations during the weekend:
Santo Tomas , BCN
-Rancho "El Consuelo"
San Vicente, BCN
-San Vicente Mission Base
-Campo Mezquitito
-Campo Furvas (Garcia)
800AM Team assembled at El Monte airport Annia's Kitchen restaurant
830-830AM loaded the three mission aircraft with luggage and food.
830-900AM Prayer circle and photos for the trip prologue
900-930AM Pilots depart for Mexico
11-1130 Arrive Ensenada airport and pass customs and immigration
1130AM Load two mission 15 passenger vans and head south to Maneandero 10 miles to famous El Poblano taco stand for lunch.
1230-130 last minute food shopping and buy new battery for van
130-230 Drive south to Santo Tomas to meet full time missionaries
Dave and Lynne Johnson and youth team along with other Mexican Medical personnel to start clinic at camp near adjacent farm and packing house.
300-530PM perform dental, chiropractic, and optical services with camp residents
530-600PM pack up team and head south in mobile dental unit and vans to mission base at San Vincente Clinic with the Johnsons.
700PM Arrive and settle in at mission base.
730PM dinner of beef brisket preprepared in US by Dr Buds wife Kate. Side dishes of salad, brocolli, tortillas, and huge cookies and cholcolate cake for desert
830PM Worship time and lesson by Pastor Phil
900PM-bedtime and fellowship
Saturday Feb 2, 2008
7-30AM Breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, smoky links, toast, and fruit.
830AM Pastor Phil leads worship and lesson
900AM Open clinic for locals , and later team heads for camps with chiropractor Ray Bouchereau to do outreach and treatment in remote areas.
1230-130PM lunch at the mission site. Beef, turkey, brisket of beef sandwitches.
200-500PM team outreach to other camps with chiropractor Ray Bouchereau,DC
200-500PM treatments and dental continue at base clinic with Dr Plamenac, Dr Jangaard, and team. Dr Budincich doing optical and Dr Anding doing chiropractic adjustments.
500-800PM dental clinic remaining open to treat paitients until dinner
800PM-900PM Dinner and fellowship Tri Tip BBQ over mesquite charcoal. Spinach salad, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, jalapenos pickled. Chocolate cake and cookies for desert.
900PM Pastor Phil gives last devotional and members give testimonials of the trips activities.
930PM-10PM chiropractic treatments for team members and missionaries, clean kitchen and floors
Sunday Feb 3, 2008
600AM early rising to beat impending storm
700AM depart for airport at Ensenada
830AM unload vans and pack aircraft for trip park vans securely.
1000AM depart by air IFR to Brown field to clear customs. Weather was lowering and ceilings were below minimums by secong leg flight back to El Monte.
1130AM Lunch with team in Brown Field airport restaurant
100 PM depart to San Diego downtown AMTRAK station to take 300PM Train back to Union Station and then Gold Line back to Pasadena. Some of team get rides home with family to EL Monte to get cars.
