Providing a New Place of Learning

This month’s trip to Casa de la Esperanza left us very dusty and sore.

Our goal at the Tijuana orphanage was to restore the children’s library to a condition where it was safe and accessible.  The hope is that with an organized library, the children would be allowed to enjoy the books and promote their reading and learning skills.

When we first opened the abandoned room, there was a layer of dust settling on massive piles of books covering the shelves and table.  I think it was a bigger project than most of the volunteers had anticipated, and I was positive that we wouldn’t finish in the amount of time we had allotted.  But by pulling together we somehow plowed through the work.

We sorted the piles, removing books we thought wouldn’t be used and reorganized the remaining books onto the newly cleaned shelves.  At the end of the project, I was amazed at the result.  We actually managed to create a decent place where the children could come and expand their knowledge.  I think that the only issue now is making sure that the orphanage administrators continue to provide access and support some kind of reading program.  I have a feeling we’ll have to take it one month at a time.

Giving a Thousand Smiles

My New Friend, Leslie.

The Thousand Smiles Foundation is an amazing Rotary-sponsored program that has given thousands of children a new chance at life.

Last week, a group of five of us headed down to Ensenada, Mexico to contribute our time and services to the cause.  Thousand Smiles volunteers meet there every quarter to provide dental services and to operate on children who suffer from severe facial deformities.  They also provide follow up and several other necessary services that other similar organizations tend to overlook.

While the dentists and oral surgeons examined the children, the other volunteers and I organized and made the children at home.  Many of them had been coming to the clinics their whole lives.  One little patient, named Leslie, asked me to draw a picture with her and proceeded to give me a Spanish lesson.  I gave her a lesson in English.  She was my little sidekick for the rest of the day.

I never understood why people became dentists.  Now I can see it.  You can literally see the lives you are changing.  You can see the parents’ faces as you bring their child out of the operating room.  You can hear them thanking you for making their child beautiful.  It’s an amazing thing. A beautiful thing.

Check out photos from the Thousand Smiles clinic!

Finally a Member of Rotary International

It’s official!

I’m finally a member of Rotary International, one of the largest service organization in the world.

This will be a fantastic opportunity to become involved in continuous service projects, and hopefully be able to contribute some innovative ideas of my own.

I look forward to the oncoming challenges and hope that I am able to live up to my commitments and really make a difference.