Dentist at Wayside Dental Centre Dr. Nekky Jamal has been given the Citizen of the Year award for his charitable contributions overseas.
The Lions Club is recognizing Dr. Jamal for his work in Guatemala this year, where he went along side 23 volunteers and seven dentists to provide free dental care to children and adults. Lions Club Member Vic Juba says that he is very passionate about his work and it shows.
“You look at what he’s doing, Nicaragua, Guatemala that’s a long ways from home and he gives up his practice. Stop and think about it two or three weeks of his profession that’s a big sacrifice and he just loves it, considering he’s done it now for 12 missions. This guy is unbelievable.”
Dr. Jamal went on his first dental brigade missions trip in 2009 to Guatemala and just came back from his 12th. With his last trip he and his team were able to see 715 patients and give 110 fillings in five clinic days. Dr. Jamal says that it’s an incredible honour to given this award.
“I’ve been part of Lloydminster for 10 years now, Lloydminster’s been my home and I’ve received such tremendous support here. I never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever be named Lions Club Citizen of the Year, it’s so incredibly humbling to be part of this group.”
Dr. Jamal has partnered with Change for Children, an organization based out of Edmonton to create the Quench Campaign, that drills wells to provide clean water to areas in Northwestern Nicaragua. The campaign to date has raised over $140,000 and has funded 11 water wells. Dr. Jamal says that different parts of the world don’t have the same opportunities Canadians do so we have to do our best to fix that.
“It’s knowing that there’s disparity in life, it’s knowing that we are so fortunate to be born in Canada and have so many opportunities to go to school, to turn on our taps and get fresh clean water, not even think twice about it.”
Dr. Jamal will be going back to Nicaragua in three weeks to check on the water wells and keep growing the project.