Celebrating our Oral Health Promotors, from online learning to real world impact
Show your support by enjoying A Midsummer Jamboree for Malawi.
Since 2020, Smileawi and Bridge2Aid have been working together to train non-medical volunteers as Oral Health Promotors through our formalised programme.
Today we are excited to share a success story that highlights just how powerful this training can be; Dr Jean Bolobolo, a dentist originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was among the first cohort to complete our online course developed by the Bridge2Aid team.
Equipped with new skills and resources, Jean began identifying and training volunteers and passing on vital oral health knowledge within his community. His journey led him to Blantyre where he learned about Dzaleka refugee camp, a protracted refugee camp some 200km away.
The camp, which is home to more than 52,000 people, is run by the UNHCR and has just one dental surgery offering a service only a few days a year. Jean realised that a prevention programme was urgently needed. Working alongside community leaders he selected a group of passionate volunteers and began delivering training.
Today, these volunteers serve as Oral Health Promotors teaching children in schools, speaking in churches and supporting patients at the health clinic. The population are learning the importance of maintaining good oral health and this awareness should result in a decreased burden of disease. Interventions like these do require funding including travel costs for the trainer and meals during training sessions.
Building on our successes in the Northern region, we now aim to expand our impact across central and southern regions of Malawi. Your support is essential in helping us to reach more communities and change more lives
Smileawi in collaboration with Bridge2Aid is proud to present ‘A Midsummer Jamboree for Malawi’. This is a special fundraising event supporting our joint effort to improve oral health in Malawi by training dental professionals to empower local volunteers as Oral Health Promotors, spreading vital oral health messages throughout Malawian communities.
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening on Friday 20 June from 7pm until midnight at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, 242 St Vincent Street Glasgow.
Enjoy a red carpet arrival with a piper, a drinks reception, a three course dinner with an on table quiz and lively dancing to the record breaking Big Smile Big Band. All proceeds from the event will directly fund oral health training and community outreach in Malawi.
We are extremely grateful to our sponsors Park Orthodontics, Henry Schein and Chase de Vere Dental whose support is helping to make this event possible and to bring brighter smiles to Malawi.
Tickets are £70 each or £675 for a table of 10. Bring your friends, family or colleagues along to support this life changing cause.
Book your tickets today and be part of a night of fun, fundraising and making a real difference! For tickets visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/smileawi1/1479765