My experiences witnessing the barriers to dental care motivated me to become involved with the organization Smile Train. I have fundraised for treatment for children with clefts and provided literacy to the community about cleft conditions. My involvement with this organization not only fulfilled me deeply, but also gave me a background in oral and maxillofacial terminology while also improving my communication and teamwork skills. This experience will inevitably prepare me for a career as a dentist and help me reduce health-care disparities.
My wife Jean and I have been financial supporters of Smile Train, Inc. for several years now. By the grace of God, we were able to pay for two children's cleft palate/cleft lip surgeries at very low cost because all the professionals (dentists, orthodontists, physicians, anesthesiologist, nurses, etc.) DONATE THEIR EXPERTISE for FREE!
Why is this surgery so important, you ask? Well, for one thing, it's not merely cosmetic in nature, to make the kids' faces look pretty. It's far more vital than that.
These young children and babies are primarily from foreign countries and poor families that cannot afford the surgery. Not only are the children mercilessly teased because of their facial deformity, many have trouble even breathing, swallowing food, speaking and just plain living as they are usually isolated at home away from other children to play with.
Here's where Smile Train, Inc. truly SMILES on these needy kids. With absolutely FREE surgical services, the deformities are permanently corrected and the children are given a NEW LIFE without that terrible facial abnormality. They live as normal, happy children, going to school and playing with others.
It's truly a life-saving, life-sustaining gift for a deserving child that YOU can be a part of, either through your financial support or donation of your professional services, or both.
Smile Train, Inc is here for them. Are you here for Smile Train, Inc.?
Rev. Duane A. Janssen
Ordained Christian Minister
Author, writer, poet
email: dajanssen49@gmail.com
Phoenix, AZ USA
The simple truth is, for $250 anyone can change the course of a child's life. I can make an impact on one child by changing a child's mouth from that of a disfformed sadness into a light upon his family, village and ultimately the World. For me this is the most inexpensive and powerful way to spread good will throughout the globe.