Dental School Cameroon Mission Trip

Hello! I'm student doctor Shayla Wilson, a second-year dental student at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. Just earlier this year, my sister ran a DNA test to find out more about our ancestry. Interestingly enough, I am 16% Cameroonian. That may not sound like much, but that is actually my primary country of origin. Being an African American in America leaves many people like me to wonder about who we are exactly as a people. Although my background is very colorful and diverse, I finally have a sense of where I come from. I now have a country - not a continent - of origin, and it feels good.

I was so excited to learn of this information about my past, I went to talk to a fellow classmate who happens to be the only person from Cameroon I know. He said instead of talking to him about Cameroon, I should just go see it for myself! Just days before, our school designated the annual mission trip to take place in Cameroon! He handed me a flyer about the mission trip to take place this summer, and I completed the application that very day.

I feel honored to have been chosen as one of the individuals to go on a mission to help others. The purpose of this trip is to EDUCATE individuals on basic dental and medical treatments in order to ensure continued care by villagers, to DONATE vital clothing and sanitary items, to TREAT the people within our scope of practice, and to HONOR GOD through service to mankind. We have a full 2-week itinerary with our service covering the following six cities: Douala, Buea, Bamenda, Oshie Village, Babanki Village, and Limbe. I am particularly looking forward to visiting the orphanage in Bamenda where we will provide dental care to the children and give fun interactive presentations on dental care and general health.

Any donations made on this GoFundMe Campaign will definitely go towards a meaningful, humanitarian cause. The money will cover airfare and travel and housing accommodations on the mission trip. My deadline is to have the funds by December 8th so that we can book the cheapest airfare possible. Not only will you be supporting the hundreds of deserving lives in need of health care and health education, you will be supporting a young student doctor connect to her roots in a meaningful way. Thank you for your love and assistance.