When a Hope Center in the Dominican Republic partnered with students from a local university to help kids learn how to keep their teeth healthy, they didn’t know they would also spark a big dream for one girl living in poverty.
University students present a class on dental hygiene to kids at a Hope Center.
I recently had the chance to join the staff of Rescatando Ninos Hope Center in my home country of the Dominican Republic as they hosted of a team of graduating dental students from a local university.
The students taught the children and teens at the center how to properly brush their teeth and keep them strong and healthy.
They also taught them about the foods that are good or bad for them.
It was a wonderful opportunity for the kids living in poverty to learn the importance of good dental hygiene.
The Hope Center is involved in every aspect of the growth of the kids from the community of Las Guaranas, and they know that dental hygiene is an important factor.
That’s why they decided to invite the university team and prepare a fun workshop to teach the kids about keeping their teeth clean.
A girl receives a tube of toothpaste.
The kids had a great time, and after the workshop each of them received a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste.
As Child Champions, we know every moment spent teaching kids something new is worth the time, because we never know who we may encourage to keep dreaming and pursuing a goal for their life.
I was reminded of this during the dental workshop when I met Arianny. She is a 14-year-old who has attended the Hope Center since she was 3.
Arianny has attended many vocational classes and workshops during her time at the Hope Center. I asked Arianny how she thinks these workshops created by the Hope Center can help her have a better future. To my surprise, she told me that her dream was to study dentistry like the girls who were teaching them how to properly brush their teeth.
Arianny was inspired to want to become a dentist someday.
“I don’t know what I’ll end up working at someday,” said Arianny. “But I do know that I am very qualified for a lot of things because of everything I have learned in my Hope Center.
“I am clear about one thing, and that is my dream to study dentistry. And I want to follow that dream.
“Thanks to these students my Hope Center invited today, I feel inspired to do it — to continue dreaming — and that just like them I may be able to be a dentist one day.”
Every day, Hope Centers are encouraging kids like Arianny not only to dream but to achieve their dreams.
Your gift to the Partners Fund helps OneChild go farther into the hard places, open more Hope Centers, and do whatever it takes to reach more kids in poverty.
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