Smiles are Broader, Whiter, and Healthier at Tawawami

Thanks to the donation of 150 tubes of toothpaste from Dr. Hermann Shultze Jr. DDS of the Island Center Dental Excellence, of Marco Island, Florida, the Tawawami Project was able to initiate a dental hygiene program for the youth and their parents of the Project.  Providing assistance across the borders is not new to Dr. Schultze for he has traveled to Guatemala with the Rotary to help establish a dental clinic for orphans.                                                                                                                          

In addition, the Hope Dental Centre located in downtown Mwanza at the New Mwanza Hotel Business Centre enhanced the program by donating toothbrushes to accompany the toothpaste. Hope Dental Centre is a project of Bridge2Aid, an NGO with dental and community development programs in the Mwanza Region. 100% of Hope Dental Centre Profits are used by Bridge2Aid to fund its operations in the area.

The Centre also provided a dental nurse Mariam for the morning seminar held last Saturday. The seminar provided instruction in the proper care for the children’s teeth and the distribution of brushes and the toothpaste.

The dental seminar was quite festive as it began with a performance by the newly formed Tawawami Maasai Dance Troupe.  With spears in hands, chants and choral singing, and the vibration of the their shoulders to their rhythmic dance, I suspect the youth of Tawawami will not miss a day of brushing their teeth!  When the troupe emerged upon the audience the children’s faces were motionless and priceless.

On behalf of the Tawawami Project, I would like to once again thank Dr. Hermann Schultze Jr. DDS, Jo and Grace from the Hope Dental Centre, and Mariam, the Hope dental nurse who shared her knowledge and time freely with the children and their families.  Your generosity, care, and kindness made the day most memorable and successful.

Hope Dental nurse Mariam and I await the start of the morning seminar.

Let the festivities begin! ...please

Honestly, can't seem to get enough pictures of the children.

The Tawawami Troupe presents for the children and their families.  Proceeds from their performances go to funding the project to better serve the needs of the children.

Children are motionless as they watch the troupe perform.

Parents appeared to be captured by the Dance troupe's performance.

Hope Centre Dental nurse Mariam demonstrates the proper technique of brushing one's teeth.

Cooperative youth helps in the demonstration.

The best!

Children line up to receive their new toothbrush and tube of toothpaste.