March 2016

Every March, a group of Dartmouth alumni and students hold a leadership development camp for teenagers who live in El Rosario and the broader Locomapa region. The weeklong camp, “La Fuerza para el Futuro”, or “Force for the Future”, aims to teach the local students the spirit of volunteerism and the skills needed to become strong leaders in their community. This year’s Fuerza trip had a specific focus on dental education in support of the recent establishment of the new dental clinic in El Rosario. Fuerza students traveled to 6 different communities, teaching basic dental hygiene and distributing toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss to families. Students also created dental stations for each school so children have a place to hang their toothbrushes in the classroom and teachers can build regular teeth cleaning into the daily schedule. The workshops increased awareness of the importance of oral health across communities while also giving Fuerza students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills in project management, public speaking and social service. The Fuerza students also hiked to the mountainous village of Carrizalito to paint the local elementary school. Students celebrated their accomplishments with a graduation ceremony at the end of the week.

The team of Dartmouth students and alums who lead this year’s Fuerza program.

Girls in the village of Los Oreros after receiving their first ever toothbrushes. Most had just brushed their teeth for the first time.

Four Fuerza boys posing with their toothbrushes after teaching families in their community about oral health.

Fuerza girls leading a demonstration on how to properly clean teeth.

Two Fuerza students pose after hanging a dental station in the El Rosario school. Teachers will build regular health cleaning into the daily schedule.

Veteran Fuerza students wrapping up another successful year of the program at the graduation ceremony.