New Mexico Dental Journal

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Photos from left
Making friends with a
tortoise in Mombasa, Kenya
Clinic in Loon, Bohol,
Philippines with my goddaughter,
Dr. Adele Maestrada, in foreground
With Dr. Dawn McClellan and the
second graduating class of dental
assistants in Fridsro, Sri Lanka
On top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
There are two outcomes
of volunteering that
I value the most:
1) Getting local dentists involved in
volunteering; and 2) leading young
women into a valuable career in dental
assisting.
In Kenya, I was introduced to many
public health officials, including the
head of the dental school in Mombasa.
We agreed that having students work
with me in town and at a remote inte-
rior site would be beneficial for everyone.
I taught the students how to problem
solve and adapt their solutions to desired
outcomes and they went back to their
school and inspired the department to
begin free clinics regularly at the remote
site. (Picture me leaping with joy.)
In Sri Lanka, I was contacted by the head
of DCI to help launch a dental assistant
training program for young women.
Women in Sri Lanka receive little or
no education in favor of their brothers.
They are expected to marry, remain at
home and have no occupational choices
since they can barely support themselves
without an education. The first classes
I set up were English (the language of
professionals), math, and radiology. And
I was tough. Sometimes I worried that I
was too hard on the students, but we’re
leading our third class now and “my
girls” from the previous classes came
back and said that they know more than
their more senior co-workers. All of our
graduates have jobs in their field.
I believe that overseas
volunteers are born,
not made.
My daughter returned from a mission
trip in Honduras rejoicing about floors
and screens on the windows, not on the
beds. She currently works with a volun-
teer organization based in Seattle. My
youngest son came back from his first
trip to the Philippines and wanted to
know the minimum age requirement to
join the Peace Corps (it’s 18). While he
waits, he accompanies me on select trips.
A woman we know, who provides free
room and board to volunteers stranded
between flights, expressed her shame in
not going overseas herself. On the other
hand, she provides a valuable service to
travelers voluntarily.
The ability to travel, use a squat toilet
and deal with bugs is not universal, but
the opportunity to donate one’s time and
expertise arises daily at home. Simply
look for the need.
Please consider contacting:
Global Dental Relief
4105 E Florida Ave, Ste 200
Denver, CO 80222
800-543-1171 or 303-858-8857
Dental Care International
1750 Wheeler Peak Dr
Las Vegas, NV 89106
702-272-1100