Share the love! One love!

Monday, June 2, 2014

Who Needs a Better Reason?

Who needs a better reason to spend quality time improving the health and life of the children?

It was reported late last month that the Jamaican Government has allotted $400 million dollars to the expansion and upgrading project in the resort town of Negril. From the Jamaican Observer:

GOVERNMENT is to spend $400 million this year, under the first phase of a major upgrading project in the resort town of Negril, Westmoreland.

This phase includes rehabilitation works to the main road that links Sheffield to Negril from the south coast, as well as Norman Manley Beach Park.

Tourism and Entertainment Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill made the announcement during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

"This investment will produce a town residents can be proud of, one that presents an improved experience for their visitors, providing opportunities for enjoyment by both groups," he said.

Other aspects of the project include landscaping, upgrading of sidewalks and renovation of the craft market, fishing village, and community centre.

The project "will complement the dual-purpose pathway already under construction along the Norman Manley Boulevard for the safety and convenience of residents and visitors", the minister said.

I have had the pleasure of serving the people of Negril, Westmoreland, Jamaica twice over the past several years through Great Shape! Inc. 1000 Smiles project

While enjoying my time working in the dental clinics assisting the volunteer dentists and educating the people of Negril on the importance of Oral Health Care, I got to know some of the locals very well. I have always loved visiting Negril and have always felt so warm and welcome in the community. It is a pleasure to return again and again. I am so pleased to see the the Government is giving so much generous attention to the community of Negril, not just as a resort town, but to give some much needed TLC to the infrastructure of the area, making a great city even greater!

You too can help make a difference in a child's life in Negril, or several other areas of Jamaica. By visiting the 1000 Smiles webpage you can apply to be a volunteer for Great Shape! Inc. You do not have to be a dentist, work in dental hygiene or as a dental assistant. There are plenty of positions where you can let your talents shine!

The 2014 schedule is open for registration with the following dates:

Negril Week 1 - Aug 29 to Sept 7 Week 2 - Sept 6 to Sept 15

Ocho Rios Week 3 - Sept 19 to Sept 28 Week 4 - Sept 27 to Oct 6

Montego Bay Week 5 - Oct 17 to Oct 26 Week 6 - Oct 25 to Nov 3

Whitehouse Week 7 - Nov 7 to Nov 16 Week 8 - Nov 15 to Nov 24

Sealants Project (Ocho Rios) Spring - May 2 to May 12 Fall - Oct 31 to Nov 10

ONE LOVE!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

'Tis the season for sharing and caring! "This year alone 4,400 books, 500 pairs of shoes, 14,000 glasses, 75 breadfruit trees, and 300 uniforms were donated! 6,000 Jamaicans received dental services, 4,990 Jamaicans received free eye care exams, and 3,626 Jamaicans received nursing visits. Amazing! Help us achieve even more with a donation!"

Monday, March 5, 2012

A decade of bringing smiles to Jamaica - American Dental Association - ADA.org

A decade of bringing smiles to Jamaica - American Dental Association - ADA.org

March 05, 2012
A decade of bringing smiles to Jamaica
By Stacie Crozier, ADA News staff
Oakland, Calif.—Now in its 10th year, the 1000 Smiles Dental Project has created a lot more than 1000 smiles.

More than 37,000 rural Jamaicans from 90 communities have received treatment—including some 27,500 extractions, 10,000 cleanings, 18,500 fillings and 12,500 sealants. In addition, the program has provided oral health education to more than 65,000 children.


“The project is moving from service to sustainability,” said Dr. Jack Levine, a general dentist in New Haven, Conn., and 1000 Smiles volunteer for eight years.

“In the last three years, the project has added sealant, fluoride and school based programs to direct care services. 1000 Smiles is also working with the University of Technology, Jamaica, and Jamaican nurses so that the services will be there when we leave. I feel like I’ve done something that not only makes a difference and changes lives, but will stay there when I go.”

The program, developed through a collaboration between the Oakland, Calif.-based charity Great Shape Inc., Sandals Resorts International and the Jamaican Ministry of Health, provides free dental care and education in rural schools and health clinics to some 15,000 people in Jamaica every year. The project enlists the help of more than 200 volunteers who provide care in areas that have one dentist for every 100,000 people. In the past decade, roughly 1,600 volunteers have reached out to those in need.

“To be able to go to a country where they don’t have enough access to dental care and make a difference is very exciting,” said Dr. Sherwin Shinn, a general dentist in Tacoma, Wash., and a 1000 Smiles volunteer for four years. “Even more so, to see the local people of Jamaica buying into this is fantastic. In Jamaica, because of the attitude of the people, the project is really making a difference. Seeing that people are getting better and that this could be sustainable by the Jamaicans is wonderful.”

1000 Smiles makes it easy for new volunteers to embark on an international dental mission, said Dr. Sue-Min Mak, a general dentist in San Francisco who has volunteered for two years.
“Not everybody is ready to jump on a plane and be ready to be out in the field saving lives in rugged terrain and uncertain political climates,” Dr. Mak said. “The 1000 Smiles project is safe and well organized and open to all volunteers, young and old. Lots of volunteers bring their spouses and families. This project makes humanitarian work very accessible.”

Volunteers pay a tax-deductible program fee of $700 and their airfare to Jamaica, and they receive free housing, food and ground transport from Sandals. Volunteers are also asked to buy or solicit donations for all supplies needed to serve 75 patients per week.

“I love volunteering. Traveling is a passion of mine, and I love getting immersed in new cultures and making new friends and acquaintances,” said Dr. Mariam Khateeb, a pediatric dentist in Woodbridge, Va. “Great Shape offered all of that to me and more.”

This fall the project will serve areas near Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Whitehouse. One- and two-week missions are available.

Program dates are Sept. 14-23 and Sept. 22-Oct. 1 in Ocho Rios; Oct. 12-21 and 20-29 in Montego Bay; and Nov. 2-11 and 10-19 in Whitehouse.

For more information, visit www.gsjamaica.org or call 1-510-893-1751.

To learn more about international volunteer opportunities, call the ADA Division of Global Affairs at 1-312-440-2726, email international@ada.org or visit the website http://internationalvolunteer.ada.org.

Monday, December 20, 2010

2010 In Review

Much hard work went into the completion of the 2010 GreatShape! Inc. project. Passing along the totals from Papa Joe. Congrats and cheers to my fellow OneLovers, may the love and hope you have spread come back to you tenfold!


1000 Smiles Dental Project Report 2010

Overview

In its eight history making year, the 1000 Smiles Dental Project once again lived up to the standard of world class humanitarianism that has become the hallmark of Great Shape! Inc. Made possible by the unsurpassable support of Sandals Foundation, Great Shape! was once again empowered to sustain and even grow the world’s largest international humanitarian dental program.

A record breaking 225 volunteers, from all across the USA, Canada, Jamaica and, yes, even Norway put their expert knowledge and skills to work making life even just a little bit better for 15,000 plus ordinary Jamaicans in great need of dental care. What is the definition of hero? “To leave ones home and even country, to spend your own money, to leave your job and family, to travel to a far away place, to help relieve suffering and pain, to give someone back their God given smile, to lovingly serve children and adults whose names you may never even know”. That is the definition of hero. That is the definition of One Love.

It was an exceptional year by any measure. Here are a few numbers to tell the story:

1. Over 15,000 Jamaicans benefited from this year’s program across 3 parishes:
St.Ann, St. James and Hanover
2. 13 portable rural dental clinics were set up in MOH clinics, schools and churches
3. 4,301 patients received a total of 7,930 free clinical procedures, including:
a. 1418 cleanings
b. 1511 fillings
c. 3676 extractions
d. 1325 sealants
4. 10,150 students receive free and fun oral health education sessions complete with
toothbrushes, paste and floss when available. Over 11,000 free brushes were
distributed.
5. 74 basic and primary schools across three parishes were included in the education
program
6. 1.77 Million USD value in services were delivered
7. 1 life changed at a time

NEW in 2010:

In 2010, with the support of the Sandals Foundation and the Jamaican Ministry of Health, we launched a new and history making dental sealant project in the Parish of Hanover. The grand vision is to cut cavities in half across the Island of Jamaica by seeing that every child gets sealants and fluoride at the right time and in the right way. Our pioneering team of dentists, hygienists and helpers launched both a scientific study on the efficacy of sealants and topical fluoride in the parish of Hanover and a school based oral health care program that is intended to become a model for the rest of Jamaica to learn from. A separate report on this exciting new program will be released soon.


Patterson Dental Sponsors A Jamaican For World Class Training:

Richard Cameron, a humble young man from Ocho Rios, has been working very hard for the last 6 years with Great Shape! as our in-country dental equipment technician. Now, thanks to Bob Pattillo who is a Great Shape! Board Member and Patterson Dental Sales Rep, Richard will be going to Seattle for a 9 month training program with Patterson Dental that will teach him the state of the art techniques in equipment installation and repairs. A giant thank you goes to Patterson Dental for this life changing opportunity for Richard and for building capacity within the people of Jamaica to care for their own. Thanks to Kelliann for countless hours of help.

Supporting Jamaican Dental Staff:

In 2010, Great Shape provided equipment and repairs to several dental clinics in support of those Jamaican Dental nurses, assistants and dentists who work so hard all year long. Those clinics include Cambridge, Darleston, Green Island, and Lucea. Great Shape also was happy to be able to donate a large amount of dental supplies to the Western Region.

Giving Thanks All Around:

I want to personally extend a warm and hearty thank you to the Stewart Family and Sandals Foundation (Heidi, Sheryl and Vicki) for continuing to believe in our work. Your partnership makes all of this amazing work possible. Thanks to all the Sandals staff, especially the PR managers, for your world class professionalism. Thanks to Dr. Mckenzie and Dr. Grey, visionary leaders for Jamaica’s oral health, for helping us get the Sealant project off the ground. Thanks to Nurse Stanton and all the Western Region dental staff for your incredible support and trust. Thanks to Dr. Konstantinov for always being available and supportive when needed. Thanks to Ms. Walker and all our friends at the Office of Cooperation.

I want to thank every person who donated a even a single toothbrush, a dental instrument, a vacation for our fundraiser, time to put stamps on envelopes, money to sponsor your friend or family member. Thank you to all our One One Cocoa supporters who “get it”! Big thanks to Patterson Dental, Arimex, Ultradent and Pulpdent all who made significant contributions this year to our program. I want to thank all of the Great Shape! staff and board for tireless year round efforts. Most of all I want to thank the 225 world changers, who despite a global recession, acted on their faith and their belief that right now it is more important than ever to be a part of the solution. Words cannot even capture the sweet smile of joy on the face of the young girl who looks in the mirror to see her teeth magically transformed from black to pearly white. This moment is exactly why we come. It is exactly why we care.

One Love

Joseph Wright
Executive Director

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Home Bitter-sweet Home

I've been putting off the final post from the trip, excuses include but are not limited to: internet shady for a few days (lie), too much fun to be had on the beach (truth), I had planned to blog on the plane, but my computer was seized in customs along with my rum and my underpants (mostly lie), I have been super-busy since I got back (lie), I've been super-tired since I got home (truth). So there you have it.

The last days in Jamaica were an awesome, emotional ride. Our last day in Maroon Town was fantastic. Even before leaving for the clinic that morning I was moved to tears when Joe read a little Mother Theresa poem:

Wise advice about perspective in life,
from Mother Teresa

*Do it anyway, because it was never between you and them*

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis
it is between you and God;
it was never between you and them anyway.

There happen to be a funny moment at the end, because this poem made me think of a particular person, and then, as life is funny that way, that particular person was the one to pass it on to PJ to read that morning.. Ahh life...

The drive up to the clinic was a nostalgic one, bus full, tunes bumpin, Preacher doin' his thing in the most fabulous way he does.

We arrive to an emotional start for the last day as Nurse Winsome and the other ladies presented us with a card from the Maroon Town Ministry of Health. Their sincere thanks was heartfully received, and moved us all. The ladies also brought in some food for us. Its so amazing to be there to help a group of people with no expectation of anything in return only to have you heart and your belly full from the love and generosity of others. Patties and Ginger Beer, these are a few of my favorite things!

We saw ALL of the remaining patients. This meant that the word had spread that we were having our last day so Nurse Winsome cut our waiting list, and had to tell others that our services were ending. This always makes me sad, but having Winsome take over the list meant that we did not fail to provide care to anyone who was not waiting for it on that last day.

After seeing the last patients the clean up begun. How long does it take to pack up a mobile clinic; about 2 hours. Not too shabby. Much thanks to Mikey the care taker at Maroon Town, as well as the Ministry ladies for helping get out things together at the end. We left a lot of supplies at the clinic knowing that they would go to much better use than any of us carrying them back to the U.S.

I had a particularly warm moment with a little 8 yr old boy who lives on the land next to the clinic named Courtney. He was super excited to be around the volunteers every day, he was so warm and out going, so free with his happiness. He knew that I would sneak toys and toothbrushes out the window near my chair, so frequently I would see his little hands grasp the metal bars on the out side of the window and there he would pull himself up and smile I me. I just couldn't resist :) Occasionally he would bring his little friends by as well. Such wonderful, honest, loving children. On the very last day he was helping me put away the tent that coverer the generator every day. He asked me, "are you coming back tomorrow?" No, I sadly replied. "Are you coming back on Tuesday?" No. Not on Tuesday. "Are you coming back on Thursday?" No. I wont be back on Tuesday. "When will you be back?" In a few months, I replied. I just couldn't bring myself to even think about the word a year, let alone say it. Courtney is an amazing little boy, who has touched my life.

Our drive down from the clinic was somber as well as celebratory. A quick stop at the Carlisle to drop off supplies, then back home to get ready for the goodbye cocktail party. Sandy, Steph, Tina and I got to eat dinner together at Tokyo Joes, and then got ready for further festivities.

The goodbye party was as emotional as ever. Its always so great to hear everyones stories of how their weeks had gone, and always exciting to hear about the totals for the amounts of patients that we had seen. Nearly 2000 over the two weeks! Just amazing, and fills me with so much pride, and love for those around me who give up so much to do such a good thing!

I was proud to stand with my group and say how happy I was to have met everyone, how great it was to work with them, and how in awe I was at the Ohio team, they really worked hard, and gave so much. Cheers!

Now for some down time!! We stayed local Friday night, and I kept the celebrating on the down, I was NOT going to miss snorkeling Saturday morning!

Saturday was a fabulous day. Up, a little breakfast, snorkeling (which I LOVE), beach, cocktails, hot tub, pool, beach, hot tub, lunch, beach, brief respite from sun, beach, volleyball, beach, shower.. Yep, an awesome Caribbean day for any standards.

After our beach day Sandy, Steph, Loc and I went down town for dinner and a beer, then back home for a few more. I couldn't believe I was leaving the next day!!

When I woke up on Sunday I went right to the beach. It was already warm at 8, sun shining, waves caressing the sand. I pulled my chair down and watched the beach come awake around me.

Soon enough Tina and I were packing our bags, saying goodbye to Stephanie and Sandy who'll be flying back Monday, and heading to the airport.

A few cocktails and some last minute rum buying and away we go. The flight from JA to Houston was uneventful. An hour between flights for customs is clearly not enough!, Tina was cleared to re-enter the country with her Visa letter, much to her liking. We miss our connecting flight and get on the following one. Just one extra hour in Texas wont kill me.. Right??

Home we arrive. Tina and I agree after having 4 of us in a room for the trip going back to our own apartments is going to be lonely. We are both sad that our trip is over. Peter picked us up from the airport, so lovely to see a familiar face waiting, so good to feel welcome home hugs and kisses, so good to see our luggage arrive in SF with us :)

For the past few days it has been Back II Life, Back II Reality. Work, the World Series (GIGANTES!!) and friends. A part of me will always be in Jamaica, and the new friends we've made we have brought back with us. On that note, I just got a FB friend request from Debbie, one of the fantastic Ministry of Health ladies. Ahh how our world is getting smaller by the minute. In this case I don't care, what has been far away and mysterious in the past is now know, loved, appreciated, and carried on forever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym4s9F4adDw&feature=fvw

Friday, October 29, 2010

Nothing To Smile About

This song is popular on the radio here, and the first time I heard it I totally connected to it.

Morgan Heritage - Nothing To Smile About
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MT26U0kSzg

(Intro)
nuff people come to jamaica and nuh know how we live
think Seh EVERYTHING nice through we full of vibes and think
dem say want feelin to dem heart when dem get fi overstand di real thing yeaah

(verse 1)
Mi deh ya a town one day
A par with a white man weh come all the way from norway
And him turn to mi and say
How comes Jamaica full of so much screwface
Same time mi lift mi head to the sky
And a tear drop fall from mi eye
Mi Say my youth come we go out for a drive
Mek mi show you why mi cry

(chorus)
Look pon di gully side
Do you see anything fi smile bout
Look at that hungry child
Do you see anything fi smile bout
Look at the school weh deh youth dem go fi get dem education
Do you see anything fi smile bout
Look at the conditions of our police stations
Do you see anything fi smile bout

(verse 2)
Same time the bredda say
How can a nation believe in this way
And the next thing him say
How can the government play so many games
Same time mi heart fall to the ground
Cause dis much war where that comes from
Certain place they are worse dan slum
Youth man come

(chorus)
And take a look pon Riverton
Do you see anything fi smile bout
Look pon Payneland
Do you see anything fi smile bout
Flankers, Mobay and Saffras Heights in Nos Spain
Do you see anything fi smile bout
Hope Flats, Kentiyah, Mottom Bay are all the same
Do you see anything fi smile bout

(Intro)
nuff people come to jamaica and nuh know how we live
think Say EVERYTHING nice through we full of vibes and think
dem say want feelin to dem heart when dem get fi overstand di real thing yeaah

(verse 1)
Mi deh ya a town one day
A par with a white man weh come all the way from norway
And him turn to mi and say
How comes Jamaica full of so much screwface
Same time mi lift mi head to the sky
And a tear drop fall from mi eye
Mi Say my youth come we go out for a drive
Mek mi show you why mi cry

(chorus)
take a look pon Riverton
Do you see anything fi smile bout
Look pon Payneland
Do you see anything fi smile bout
Canterbury Mobay, March Pen Road ova Spain
Do you see anything fi smile bout
Nuff likkle place deh ya inna jamdown today
Weh nuttin nuh did deh fi smile bout

One of the reactions I get when I tell people that I volunteer in Jamaica is a laugh. They see Jamaica as a resort paradise, happiness, booze, weed, reggae, joy. For certain there is a lot of that. But just below that surface there is so much need. So many people have so little to smile about.

And this is why I'm here. Why we're here. To help one person smile makes all of the hard work worth it.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

1000Smiles2010 Day 13

Days 12 & 13

The week is quickly coming to a close. Yesterday was fairly uneventful, woke up, long drive to work, helped as many in the community as possible, long drive home, dinner and hanging at home. In the clinic Nurse Winsome is really warming to all of us. She brings us treats, shares in jokes and smiles, and today arranged curried goat lunch from the store down the hill. We are really lucky to have her and the other Ministry ladies as part of our fantastic team.

I feel blessed to be able to do such amazing work in such an amazing community with such amazing co-volunteers. I have to admit I was fearful of having the Temple and OSU D4s arrive this week. I was enjoying the chill vibe and wasnt into the thought of our shared resort home turning into a frat house. I couldnt have been more wrong. The guys that are on my team have enhanced my second week here. They truly are really sweet, caring, nice guys who are open and receptive to the world and the needs around them. Something that happened yesterday that I though was really cool: We were on our way to work and stuck in the usual Downtown Mo' Bay traffic. Just as we were approaching the Shell station to fill up for the generator we passed a man pushing his truck along the side of the road. Brad looked at Ben and said, "dude, should we get out and help him push?"

I'd like to say that I'm always able to see more than 10 inches from my own face, but seeing a man push a truck down the road early in the morning, in the heat just doesnt really come across my radar. Brad was being serious, and it was just the natural response to what the right thing is to do in that situation. Luckily the man got the truck started and the guys didnt have to help intervene. But it was a great thought and intention. You go Ohio farm boys!

After work yesterday a group of about 25 of us went to Scotchies for dinner. I do love that place. Good vibe, good food, lots of fun and lots of Wray and Nephew Overproof. We were splitting flasks and Cokes, Papa Joe sent me over a rum and redbull and the owner was buying us drinks as well. This led to an evening of debaucherous drinking, off tune karaoke, random long hallway conversations that involve pulling up chairs they last so long, topped off by shooting darts with Montego Bay police in full gear in the Pub. Hellooo hangover!

This morning I was annoyed with myself for not feeling good. I *did* have a great time last night, but I was feeling it today! I wasn't able to eat much at breakfast, and luckily was able to sleep a lot on the drive up to Maroon Town. When we got to the clinic I realized I was walking through the waiting room and down the hall without looking up or saying good morning to anyone. I was so annoyed with myself and vowed from that moment on that I was not going to let my own frun the night before short change anyone else from experiencing my piece of the love bubble.

Unfortunately during the day our power went out in the clinic. Most of the work could still be done running off of the generator, but it did slow us down. The chairs were stuck in the positions they were in when the power went down, the over head lights were not working, the fans went off (!!!) and it was SO hot, and we were down to one autoclave that could run off of the generator. I have to admit that there were some people working in the clinic today that chose to do less work instead of working a little bit harder to overcome the power down limitations. It made me sad and frustrated. Our patients come from so far away, wait so long so patiently. It it my own mission to help serve as many as possible.

After work a big group of us went to Glistening Waters in Falmouth. The sky was so clear tonight. There were so many stars. It just about took my breath away, and almost immediately gave me a feeling of peace and calm. The universe is so vast and so random. We have such a short time here. We are such significant and insignifiant beings at the same time. I felt relaxed and happy, and it made me miss the heck out of Peter. I've been missing him a lot today, and this is something that I would have loved to share the experience with. After a short boat ride out into the brackish waster we jumped in the with bioluminescent fish. They were themselves little twinkeling stars in the water. It was a cool experience. In the boat on the way back to the pier I met a man who was from Maroon Town. He had family visiting from England and took them out to the lagoon tonight. He was really supportive of all of the work we were doing, he knew Preacher - I swear, this man knows everyone! - His name was Perry and he told me about growing up in Maroon Town, and that his family owning the largest banana farm in the community. I told him I was familiar with the farm, and that I really enjoyed being up in the community for the past two weeks.

I can't believe that tomorrow is Friday already! We have a short clinic day tomorrow, and then have lots of packing up of gear so that it can get transferred over to Negril next week. Just one more day, I can't believe it! So very very bittersweet!