In 2021, a pregnant woman who traveled nearly 14 miles to our clinic to get treatment for a dental infection tragically died shortly after arriving. Her death was entirely preventable, a painful result of lacking access to dental care. By the time she reached us, the infection had already spread throughout her body, leaving little chance for recovery.
The loss of this patient serves as a reminder of the pervasive suffering endured by countless Rwandans, in a country where there are only about 70 dentists to serve 13 million people. We are determined to honor her memory by tirelessly advocating for improved services and meeting the patients where they are.
In her memory, we began The Run for the One campaign. Our inaugural event saw participants embark on a symbolic run from Nyamata District Hospital to the Ngeruka Health Center, situated 14 miles (22.5 km) away near the woman's village. This event aimed to shed light on the daunting trek that many Rwandans endure on foot for even the most basic dental care.
With increased accessibility, lives can be saved, and the overall well-being of the community can be uplifted. With your help, we aim to bridge the gap between communities and essential dental care, honoring those we lost due to its absence.
Get Involved
We invite you to support us in making dental care more accessible by sponsoring our runners in Rwanda. As a token of our appreciation for supporters at these giving levels, we'll also send you a Run for the One t-shirt. Your support not only empowers our mission but also leaves a lasting impact on the communities we serve!
We appreciate donations in any amount that help fund our operations and any imminent needs! To honor your generosity, we are creating a digital donor wall to recognize all donors, including those who give less than $500. All funds will go directly to help remodel the HOPE Dental Center (HDC). We are so excited about the impact that HDC can spread through Rwanda in both suburban and rural areas. Thank you for your support and generosity!
The Eun Family • The Yagade Family • John & Liz doomey The Ham Family • Michael Goldstone • PaTRICIA aGUILERA pHOEBE lE mONTREE • Karen Winn • Robert Sobel Regency Supply • Aeree Kim • Johnny Rhee • Susan Deno Gary Chan • Eun Jhee • Tom Mcallister • The Whang Family The Rhee Family • Youngho Cho