Ugandan Schools Sponsorship Programme

In partnership with Dentaid, Rugurama Hospital – a not-for-profit Church hospital – based in Kabale in SW Uganda, has been at the forefront of improving oral health services, both in the Kabale region and more widely in Uganda and nearby Rwanda. Under the directorship of Dr Chris & Polly Barton and their team, one of this partnerships main achievements is the development of a pioneering school oral health programme. This has already reached over 5000 children in six schools in the District and is now being expanded to include a further nine schools in the Kabale region.

The background
In the UK, children are fortunate enough to receive quality dental treatment and nearly all have the means to brush their teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.

In Uganda, children are not quite so lucky. Only a small proportion of children ever see a dentist, most of whom are poorly equipped and only present in the main towns. More seriously, few families can afford toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste, thus not benefiting from their preventive benefits. As a result, untreated dental disease is commonplace causing pain, low self-esteem and occasionally life-threatening infections.

A donation of £800 will sponsor for one year:

• Free screening and dental treatment for an entire school, by indigenous oral health workers using portable equipment, referring more complicated cases to the Rugurama clinic.
• Oral health education using culturally appropriate visual aids.
• Toothpaste and a toothbrush for each child.

This donation will also be used for the management and monitoring of the Ugandan programme and the identification and set up of school oral health programmes in other countries around the world.

In return for your generous donation you will receive:

• A letter from the head teacher of your school
• Background information on the school and the district
• Photographs of the school
• Pictures of the oral health programme being implemented
• Acknowledgement of your support on Dentaid’s website

The development and expansion of this project has been supported heavily over the last three years by dozens of UK Lion's Club, who continue to subsidise the programme, development of its innovative components and expansion to other schools and countries. 

For more information and school profiles, please contact Nicky Triance on 01794 325141 or email nicky@dentaid.org.

Schools needing sponsorship

Current school sponsors

Lions Involvement