SERVICE TRIPS
DCI has provided dental services to at-risk children in Sri Lanka from 2002-2019. We provided free dental services to 9,000+ underserved children across the island and have donated more than $1 million in charitable contributions.
We need both dental professionals and non-dental professionals to join us in celebrating our DSA Program graduation as well as sponsoring one of our students. To learn about joining our trip to Sri Lanka for our annual graduation click “I want to join.”
DENTAL SURGERY ASSISTANT (DSA) TRAINING PROGRAM IN SRI LANKA
DCI operates a one-year residential Dental Surgery Assistant (DSA) Training Program in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Girls, with little or no formal education, survivors of tragedy and poverty, often abused and neglected, are recruited from children’s homes and given an opportunity to train as dental assistants. Upon completion of the course, DCI helps the girls obtain employment in hospitals and clinics across Sri Lanka.
Serah, a graduate of our first class, who lost her mother at a young age, describes her experience, “When I came here, I was just like a blind girl. I didn’t know what to do, I had no idea for my life, then after, I have my idea, now I can be a good assistant, a professional dental assistant.”
Nitharshini, who spent years in a refugee camp, thanks her sponsor in a simple sentence, “So you gave me eyes.”
Serah and Nitharshini, and the graduates that follow them, can break the cycle of poverty. Changing the course of their lives and make their corner of the world a better place. DCI believes in the power of Serah and Nitharshini, and young women like them. We hope you do too.
To date 108 young women have completed our DSA Training Program over the past 10 years.
Sponsoring a DSA student is $2,400, this covers full board accommodations in our Residential Training Center (RTC) and education. To become a life-changing hero for one of our young students, please go to our donate page and select the DSA sponsorship contribution amount. Alternatively, you can also co-sponsor with one or more people. Please reach out to us for more information.
GALLERY
