Our Guatemala Program launched in 2017 when Dr. Bob Moreau of MA presented the idea of partnering with a local nonprofit, Worthy Village, established in Guatemala, to provide on-going dental care to the communities in extreme need on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
Project Stretch now partners with Worthy Village to provide full dental care to hundreds of children on an annual, on-going basis.
A 10-day long dental clinic is held 2-3 times/year in the village of Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. The clinic is set up and run out of the Worthy Village Wellness Center, trucking in children from the surrounding rural areas. In these villages, we see extreme tooth decay, gum abscesses and very poor dental hygiene.
The clinics are held in the local schools, or at the Wellness Center, and provide to all children under the age of 18. Profiles are created, and children have an on-going record with Project Stretch.
The dental clinics provide full dental care to these children, from dental cleanings, to extractions, fillings, etc., these children are able to get the help they need, and a solution to the pain they face on a daily basis.
The program also trains local leaders to be Dental Hygiene Educators, allowing sustainability in the program and community monitoring progress.
How can you help?
Collecting items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss and sending them our way – this is a huge way to support this program.
Organize a volunteer trip and come down to help out with this program! Visit our volunteer page for more info!
