Dental student will work in Ecuador despite bus tragedy

Apr 17 2008 Report by Graham Fraser

A HAMILTON dental student who is set to work in Ecuador this summer has not been perturbed by this week’s road accident in the country which left five British tourists dead.

Paula O’Hanlon (21), of Earnock, will travel to the South American country on June 30 as part of her degree at the University of Glasgow.

Along with Joanne Baxter, of Kirkintilloch, and Seema Amin, from Lenzie, Paula will work with the American group Charity Anywhere Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to giving free dental and other medical services around the world.

English gap-year students Indira Swann (18), Lizzie Pincock (19), Rebecca Logie (19), Emily Sadler (19), and travel company guide Sarah Howard (26), all died after their tour bus collided with a lorry last Saturday.

The group were heading to Puerto Lopez on the west coast of the country when the accident happened.

Since the tragedy, the unfit state of the roads in Ecuador has been widely commented on.

Mark Davison, the director of the tour group which the dead girls were travelling with, said travelling by road throughout South America had an inherent risk.

This week, Paula said: “When I heard about the accident, it did worry me a lot. But it was the sort of thing that could happen anywhere in the world.

“We will be spending our time in the capital Quito, so I can imagine the roads there will be a bit better.”

The ex-Holy Cross and St Mary’s pupil, who is a keen dancer with the J and M School of Dance in Bellshill, added: “Although resources will be limited and very unlike the standards we are used to, we are looking forward to the challenge of working in a foreign environment with basic amenities.

“The charity is well-known and we know what we are in for.

“It will be very rewarding and a valuable experience for us to provide dental care to underprivileged communities.

“It will also enhance our clinical skills for when we return.”

The students are now appealing to local businesses and dental surgeries for sponsorship.

If you can help, e-mail 04037360@student.gla.ac.uk

Paula O’Hanlon (right), is pictured above with Seema (left) and Joanne. The trio will set off to Ecuador in June.