Help Dental Hygiene Students Make Bolivia Smile!

Smiles Forever partners with almost 30 Bolivian service organizations.  Many of them focus on helping children not only survive, but also find out who they are and how they can accomplish things.  These children then go on to ultimately find their place in society and help to make a better Bolivia.

Let me introduce you to one of our favorite partner organizations Ninos con Valor.  We bring dental care to these children.  In summary, this is what they strive to do:  these values can be found on their website:

R espect and Justice– We partner with both governmental and non-governmental organizations to advocate for change, education, and services for those without a voice to plead their cause. We are specifically working to combat the discrimination that is so prevalent against those living with HIV/AIDS.

I ntegration with family and society– We believe that the best place for a child is in a healthy safe family. Whenever possible we work with birth families to restore the family unit, and will work with adoption agencies to find adoptive families when appropriate. There is also much discrimination against children living in orphanages, children’s homes or on the streets, often being treated as if they were at fault and deserved to be in their current situations. This is even more pronounced when these children also live with the stigma surrounding having HIV/AIDS. We are working to change the perceptions people have about people living with HIV/AIDS through education and relationship building, also through job creation programs for HIV-positive single mothers to show they can be contributing members of society.

P rovision of needs– While it is important to ensure that each child’s basic needs are met, we also recognize the importance of meeting their emotional and spiritual needs. These children come to us with histories of abuses of all kinds- physical, emotional, and sexual. While often times their bodies bear the physical scars of these abuses, we see the evidences of their scarred spirits and psyches as well, and want to provide healing for the scars seen and unseen.

P otential– In addition to traditional education, we also feel it important to provide opportunities for these children to explore and grow their gifts and talents. Whether it be music, arts, sports, or something entirely unique, we work with other organizations and institutions to enable these children to reach their full potential.

L ove– The most important thing that the vast majority of our children lack is the knowledge that someone loves them unconditionally. In all that we do, we do as a response to God’s love for us and the desire to demonstrate that love to others, that they too might, not only know, but feel that they are loved for who they are.

E ducation– We ensure that all the children under our care have access to appropriate education and vocational training. We are also planning a daycare and kindergarten for children living with HIV/AIDS, as many times they are refused acceptance to other centers. We also want to provide these children a safe, clean, healthy environment where they will have the best opportunity to learn and grow.

Smiles Forever is proud to help children with HIV/AIDS, and we adhere to special protocol and give the best care.  The needs of these children are great.  We are grateful for donations, because then we can continue to help our partner organizations.  Thank you!

Smiles Forever's August Happening:

Our big news is once again students from the Seattle area Shoreline Community College Dental Hygienist program will embark on an adventure of their young lives--these students will travel with me and their instructor & department director to Bolivia.  For two weeks they will experience the culture and utilize their clinical skills as they help at our clinic.  Also, they will travel to the tropical area of Chapare and assist in continuing preventative care with more than a hundred children enrolled in a clinical study.  It will be an exciting time for all of us at Smiles Forever and for these students who will soon start their dental hygienist careers.  

Smiles Forever's October Happening:  

Our Fun Bolivian themed night with tapas & tango & unique auction items.  "Latin NIght with Smiles" will be held at Seattle's Queen City Yacht Club on Saturday evening October 14th.  This is a DO NOT MISS EVENT.  I will be there with my whole family & you will have a chance to meet the dynamic members of our new Smiles Forever Board.  The students fresh from their Bolivian service experience will be helping.  Doors open at 5:00 p.m.  Reserve your table for 8 by contacting me.

GlobalGiving Thank You for 50% July Match Day & Thank You Donors who participated.

Smiles Forever values all the GlobalGiving opportuniities to make your gifts go further.  We also appreciate the outreach to the larger community of givers and look forward to the season of gift cards.