Thousand Smiles provides free maxillofacial surgery, dental treatment, and various associated procedures to children from financially challenged families in Mexico. The foundation is totally funded by donations including but not limited to Rotary International Grants, other foundation grants, Rotary Club donations, and personal donations. Thousand Smiles is completely managed and run by volunteers. They host quarterly clinics at their location in Ensenada to provide cleft lip and palate surgeries as well as regular dental care.
Time/Schedule
Volunteers to be onsite at 9am each day, unless otherwise noted. Lunch will be provided (but please bring your own water/snacks). Expect to finish about 5pm each day.
Expectations
We are all working together to make these two days a success. We have been doing this for forty years and have a good schedule established. However, things do shift, and we appreciate your ability to be flexible.
Meals
Please bring your snacks and water. Lunch for volunteers will be provided.
What to Bring and Wear
For general volunteering, please wear comfortable clothing with closed-toed shoes. For practitioners and nurses please bring your necessary scrubs, gowns, etc.
Tips to Remember
Plan your trip to start and finish in daylight
When possible, caravan with at least 2 or 3 vehicles.
Don’t pull over for any vehicles not marked as police vehicles, even if they display red flashing lights.
If you have more than one vehicle, try to always take the one that attracts less attention. In other words, leave the Rolls Royce at home.
Leave your expensive jewelry and watches at home.
Obey All Road Laws
Always drive within the speed limit. Remember the signs are in kilometers per hour.
Don’t drink and drive.
Try not to do anything that would give a police officer reason to pull you over. If you do everything right you will be more likely to suspect that the red flashing lights behind you are not from a police vehicle rather than pulling over automatically.
Don’t pull off the road to take a nap or camp out. Wait until you get to the rest area at one of the toll stations.