www.mddus.com


THE JUNGLE


MAIN PHOTO: Salman examines a Calais patient. RIGHT: Salman (left) with fellow student Obaid Khalid next to a Banksy mural in Calais


better the team can work.” Despite the scale of the refugee crisis in


Europe, Salman believes his efforts are worthwhile but that a long-term solution is needed. “The teams can take care of people the best


way we can, but the real problem is if you don’t stop what’s causing it [dental decay and other symptoms], how can you change their circumstances? It is circular, people start in need, we then take care of that need, but within a week they might be back in need again. How do we break that cycle? “I am there thinking ‘I’ve turned up to an


earthquake with a dustpan and brush’. One weekend in a month is not enough: we need to increase the care we give and target that care properly. But how do we stop the refugee crisis? That is a question that’s bigger than all of us.”


When he is not volunteering abroad, or


personal ambitions aside. He says: “You can get a hell of a lot out of these trips, so if you are asked to do less glamorous work ‘backstage’, then do it. It will allow somebody to deliver the care further down the line. I was in the Care4Calais warehouses coordinating food packs and shuttle runs. You have to alternate between that kind of work and the actual delivery of the care itself, so the more selfless you are the


studying for his dental qualification, Salman is busy running a pop-up art gallery in North London, Islamic Imprints Art Gallery, which represents over 25 artists from around the world. He laughs: “I am not all about dentistry!” But how does Salman manage to balance his challenging BDS course with all his extracurricular activities? He adds: “Balancing it all is difficult, but it keeps life fun. It is good to keep busy, keep things diverse, and do things for a good cause, as long as the dentistry doesn’t fall behind. And it hasn’t so far, I have made it to my fourth year – let’s hope I can make it through the rest!”


• The Refugee Crisis Foundation was founded by pharmacist Kiran Ismail, head of the charity. To find out more email: info@refugeecrisisfoundation.com


Kristin Ballantyne is a freelance writer based in Glasgow


“The primary objective was to get people out of pain. Many couldn’t eat or sleep because of it”


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