Project Report
| Apr 25, 2016
Dental Instructor Joins our Smiles Forever Family
![Katie Fleming with Amber and Lisa in jungle clinic]()
Katie Fleming with Amber and Lisa in jungle clinic
I am truly delighted to welcome Katie Fleming, RDH.BS to our Smiles Forever Board. Our new board is a powerhouse of talent, dental professional experience, and forward-thinking committed individuals who together can bring Smiles Forever to a new level. The board is comprised of a Microsoft employee with an international studies masters degree, a dentist who has come to Bolivia several times, two college dental professors who have brought dental hygienist students to Bolivia, and young humanitarian-minded hygienists. We also have a writer with finance expertise, a technical genius, and a key donor who has partnered with us on planning and executing Global Giving bonus days. This is our first in a mini-series of board introductions. I will let Katie tell her own story. ---- Sandy Kemper, Smiles Forever Founder and Executive Director
I Strongly Believe in the Mission of Smiles Forever & Willingly Dedicate Time from my Busy Life.
I accepted Sandy's invitation to become a Smiles Forever Bolivia Board of Trustees member because I believe in the mission of Smiles Forever; to change lives through education and help break the cycle of poverty. I feel Smiles Forever continually works to achieve their mission; I believe in the power of education and know it helps change people’s lives, and I have personally experienced the heart-felt work Smiles Forever consistently delivers to young Bolivian women and Bolivian communities. My parents and family gave me a blessed life because they worked very hard to provide for us and teach us how to be good people through example. I try my best every day to give my own children the same wonderful childhood I had by believing in them and loving them with all my heart every day. I also realize not everyone has the same opportunities I had, or that my children have. Smiles Forever supports and educates young Bolivian women who don’t have these opportunities, so they can break their own cycle of poverty and have a career in dental hygiene that can support their own families. These women become community leaders and are able to teach others how education empowered them and helps build stronger families and communities. As a Board member, I help raise awareness and money for Smiles Forever. I feel passionate about the services Smiles Forever provide to their students and the communities they help serve. I believe in the work Smiles Forever has been accomplishing for the last 15 years and that is why I am proud to be part of the Smiles Forever Team.
I am the mother of two amazing boys, ages 7 and 8, who inspire me to be my best every day. Together with my husband of 15 years, who is a military veteran and journeyman plumber, I am trying to raise my boys to be good world citizens, and I feel my involvement with Smiles Forever helps accomplish this. Being away from each other for 2+ weeks when I traveled to Bolivia was difficult for all of us, but I wanted to show them the importance of volunteering and supporting those in need. I juggle a busy schedule but strive to balance work and play. As a family we enjoy camping, hiking, swimming, playing sports, coaching baseball and spending time together.
I currently am the 2nd year lead dental hygiene professor at a highly respected community college where along with my teaching responsibilities, I am working to establish an annual study abroad trip to Bolivia. ![Katie's students arriving at Bolivian airport]()
Katie's students arriving at Bolivian airport
![Bolivian woman at roadside market]()
Bolivian woman at roadside market
![Ushpa Ushpa clinic with Katie Fleming's students]()
Ushpa Ushpa clinic with Katie Fleming's students
![Katie with Seahawk flag gift]()
Katie with Seahawk flag gift
![Smiles Forever's Sandy hosting group in her home]()
Smiles Forever's Sandy hosting group in her home
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