I am here for the 6th year of the Thousand Smiles Dental Project. As a Great Shape! volunteer, I have been involved since the project launched in 2003, and have returned 5 years later to see how the project has grown. Not only have the number of volunteers more than tripled, but the territory of the project has expanded beyond the parish of Hanover to Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.
Dental and educational volunteers have already been serving Jamaicans this season in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, with dental services and the launch of a new literacy project, developed by Great Shape! Co-Founders Georgene Crowe and Gretchen Lee, called “SuperKids”.
Today in Negril, we have been orienting volunteers, organizing supplies and stocking the 4 dental clinics for the hundreds of patients that will pass through their doors the next few weeks.
Armed with a van full of supplies, the “One Love” motto and the inspirational words of Great Shape’s Executive Director, Joseph Wright (Papa Joe), volunteers are energized and ready to dedicate their skills and service to the people of Jamaica.
We are excited to have 4 community clinics in the Parish of Hanover including Lucea, Cave Valley, Kendall and here in Negril, where we will provide services to the wonderful staff of our host, Sandal Resorts International.
A Thousand Smiles is a collaborative partnership between Great Shape!, The International Smile Power Foundation, Jamaican Ministry of Health and Sandals Resorts International. A Thousand thanks to our partners! One Love!