Fall is in the air – pumpkin spice lattes, colorful leaves and crisp mornings abound. It’s a welcome relief from the hot summer days. Though it seems several months away, spring break is just around the corner. After the festive holidays, cold grey days can seem endless and one will likely be craving a sunny destination. Volunteering with Global Dental Relief this March is a great Spring Break alternative for anyone looking to give back and travel the world.

Sneak peek at a day of sightseeing at one of our clinics in Cambodia!

This year, Global Dental Relief offers two spring break alternatives for students and families looking for a unique Spring Break vacation. In March of 2019, GDR will be hosting clinics in Siem Reap, Cambodia as well as Antigua, Guatemala. Both clinics are perfect for those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime adventure this Spring Break.

Enjoy the sights and flavors of Cambodia with tropical fruits and Khmer cuisine.  Volunteer teams stay at the lovely Shinta Mani Resort, one of the top hotels in Southeast Asia, and spend their off days exploring the Angkor Wat temples and the Terrance of Elephants. Shopping, fish pedicures, and relaxing by the saltwater pool are just a few other things to enjoy while in Cambodia.

At the clinic, volunteers are greeted by eager children who are excited to visit the dentist! As each child moves through the clinic, they bow and smile in gratitude. Without a doubt, the kids are the best part of any clinic.

This year, our clinic in Guatemala coincides with one of the most beautiful times of year – lent. Volunteers explore adorned Catholic churches and witness processions as they promenade through the cobblestone streets. This offers a true cultural experience for any Spring Break getaway.

In Guatemala, the clinic is nestled in the quaint colonial town of Ciudad Vieja – the first capital of Guatemala. The children are all smiles as they wait in line outside of the clinic. When it’s their turn, they hop into the dental chair with much excitement ready to practice English with the “gringo” dentist or hygienist. After the clinic ends, volunteers enjoy a relaxing weekend away at beautiful Lake Atitlan before heading home.

A glimpse of beautiful Lake Atitlan.

When planning a Spring Break vacation, nothing competes with the life-changing adventure of attending a Global Dental Relief clinic. Take the trip of a lifetime and come experience Spring Break in a whole new way!

Join us in Cambodia March 3^rd-21^st, or in Guatemala March 22^nd-31^st. Register now before it’s too late – spots are filling up fast! Click HERE to sign-up.

Call our office at 303.858.8857 or EMAIL us today to learn more about how you can give back this Spring Break!

The post Experience Spring Break in a Whole New Way! first appeared on Global Dental Relief.

Volunteers Serving Children in Need Around the Globe

Dental Care for Kids
Since 2001

Children Served:
146,365

Donated Care:
$30.7 million

Volunteers:
2,358

Seventeen years ago we started this adventure in service–and today Global Dental Relief volunteers remain hard at work delivering critical dental care to children. In 2017, 20,904 children visited GDR clinics in five countries, receiving $4.3 million in donated care.
Our patients are the highlight of this work. We love their shy smiles, excited chattering, and trusting eyes as they reach for the hand of a volunteer. We dedicate this annual report to the children we serve and their beautiful smiles.

Each child we treat receives an average of $210 in direct dental care (US equivalent)

Download PDF of Progress Report March 2018

The post March 2018 Progress Report first appeared on Global Dental Relief.

Why volunteer in Cambodia? Here are our top five reasons!

Cambodia was once a quick stop-over on the South East Asia tourist circuit. People came to visit the 12th century Angkor Temple complex just outside of Siem Reap, and then quickly fled to other more comfortable tourist hangouts in Vietnam and Thailand. But today Siem Reap holds its own – at once an international scene and a place of enormous need, it is the perfect town to spend a few weeks volunteering and soaking up life, Cambodian style. There are endless reasons to volunteer in Cambodia, but here are the top five to make this your next adventure:

1.) The People

Cambodian people are gracious and kind. In spite of a dark past, a warm smile awaits visitors and especially those who come to do volunteer work. Cambodians are eager to get to know you, to share their life stories and to welcome you into their culture. They are generous people; you can’t help but feel a sense of connectedness when you are working side by side with our local partners in the clinic. Volunteers get a window into Cambodian life that regular tourists simply cannot access.

2.) Angkor Wat Temple Complex

The Angkor Wat Temple Complex, period. Need I say more? Built in the 12th century and then hidden by jungle for hundreds of years, the Angkor Temple Complex is something to behold. The iconic faces of Bayon and the elaborate red sandstone carvings of Banteay Srei offer a welcome break from daily volunteer work. Group Visiting the temples early in the morning or after the clinic ends in the afternoon, rounds out the perfect day. There is a steamy mysticism in this land of gods; one cannot help but be moved by the numinous essence these temples exude.

3.) The Khmer Children Need You

Although a quick scan of Siem Reap would lead one to believe that the Khmer people are flourishing economically, the sad truth is that the majority of economic resources are squandered by an elite few. There is little access to healthcare or dental care of any kind, except for those who are well off. Joining a volunteer dental clinic with Global Dental Relief means that you will be part of helping more than 600 Cambodian children to better health, in just a week. Without you, these children do not have access to dental care. They need you, so what are you waiting for?

4.) The Food

Siem Reap is a food lover’s paradise, with a lively and varied dining scene. There are endless food options. Try the traditional Fish Amok, or head to an international restaurant for a taste of Kangaroo. You really can’t go wrong in the food department. Street food is delicious and you always have the option of patronizing a restaurant “with a cause.” Several restaurants educate, train and employee former street children and sex workers. Not only are you giving back during the day, but even your meals can serve as a symbiotic function – nourishing you while helping others. Pretty cool, eh?

5.) The Volunteer Experience

And finally, the big secret that those who volunteer understand – you actually get more out of the experience than those you are helping. Yes, it’s true! Something about stepping outside of yourself and focusing wholeheartedly on another person is cathartic, fulfilling and gratifying in a way that escapes description. You have to do it to understand. Volunteers return over and over again, addicted to the positive vibes that are created when you are completely focused on helping others.

Cambodia is waiting for you! Make this your next adventure. To find out more about volunteer opportunities in Cambodia email volunteer@globaldentalrelief.org.

The post THE TOP 5 REASONS TO VOLUNTEER IN CAMBODIA! first appeared on Global Dental Relief.