Featured guest: Elina Katsman
Elina Katsman is the President of The Smiles Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Canada and the Dominican Republic, which for 20 years has striven to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged children in the Dominican Republic.
The Smiles Foundation is dedicated to giving the children of the developing world an opportunity for a healthier, more fruitful existence, and the foundation’s principle goal is to offer free preventative health education and restorative dental treatments to underprivileged children. The mission is to provide Dominican children with the opportunity for improved dental health and quality of life.
As the current president of the Smiles Foundation in Canada, and the Dominican Republic, Elina divides her time between the duties in both countries. In Canada she is responsible for the management of all aspects of the Toronto office as well as presiding over the board of Directors. In the Dominican Republic, she presides over the board of directors as well as participating in monthly board meetings using internet video-conferencing, and traveling to the Dominican Republic twice yearly to participate in annual meetings and carry out supervisory visits.
Detailed interview
1. What inspired you to begin Smiles Foundation in a developing nation like the DR?
In 1984 I traveled to the area of Samaná (Northern Province) in the Dominican Republic as a tourist. It was my first trip to a developing country. I was very touched when I saw the poor children in the streets selling peanuts, cleaning shoes and just working to make a living. Although they were working so hard, they were always smiling. When they were smiling, however, I could not help but notice that even at early teenage years they were missing teeth, had gum disease, etc. At the same time I also realized that this problem was wide spread. When I talked to local people and asked them why this was happening, I found out that there was only one dentist in town whose services were too expensive for the poor. Public dental care was not available, therefore, when people had problems they just pulled their teeth at home the old fashioned way by tying a rope to the door handle and closing the door, or if they could afford it, they paid a dentist a somewhat hefty fee. It really touched my heart. I wanted to come back one day and do something for those kids.
I was a dental assistant prior to my trip and in the midst of applying to study dental hygiene. There was a lot of competition and it was a very difficult profession to get into. There were around 2000 to 3000 students for about 16 places and only half of them made it through the program. I thought that if I managed to become a dental hygienist, I would like to work with these Dominican kids and help them to keep their teeth. Even though many had lost some teeth already, they would at least know how to keep the remaining ones healthy.
At that time I was 20 years old. When I got back to Canada from my vacation, I found a letter of acceptance to the best dental program in Canada at that time. It was from Canadore College. I graduated with a Best Clinician award and had many job offers. After working for one year and paying off my student loan, I realized that it was time to go to the Dominican Republic to fulfill my mission. That was the beginning of what today is known as Smiles Foundation.
2. Why is it so important for you and your team to work on international development? What motivates you?
Seeing poor kids, who are otherwise unable to receive dental care, smile with bright and healthy smiles, makes us feel very fortunate to have an opportunity to serve and to give of ourselves to such a worthy cause.
3. Which sources and people do you draw your inspirations from?
My inspiration comes form every day life. When I look around and see how fortunate I am to have all the blessings in my life; I feel I must pass these along. The people that mostly inspire me are; my dad, he has always lived his life helping his friends, quietly, without asking for any credit or recognition. He is still very caring and giving. And mother Teresa; her outlook on life and wisdom of charity made me realize, how much there is inside of me to give.
4. Why is it so important to work towards what you really believe in?
This completes us and gives us purpose in life, much greater than we are.
5. What role does creativity play in your life and work? how do you nurture it?
Creativity is an essential part of me. I love creating; poetry, interior design, different meals, and dance costumes are just a few of the things I enjoy creating. I nurture my creativity by listening to real life stories of ordinary people, looking at the miracle of life around me, gazing into the eyes of babies and of my fiancée and by ballroom dancing,
6. What key steps can governmental organizations take, to create a positive change for health issues in developing nations?
Governmental and non-governmental organizations of developed countries such as Canada currently have great opportunities to produce positive changes in health challenges affecting developing countries. The developing world is currently facing huge burdens imposed by a great number of health challenges ranging from infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis, to chronic diseases such as diabetes and dental decay. Each of these unique health challenges requires a range of unique responses from government, but regardless of the steps required the common objective of these solutions must be long term sustainability.
A simplistic but instructive example is one of a remote region in a developing nation which is facing a health human resources shortage. While sending foreign health professionals to the region periodically may be an attractive and perhaps effective option in the short term, it is likely not sustainable over the long term. A more sustainable solution would be to develop projects aimed at developing local capacity to train health professionals in the area who will be able to deliver services effectively and on a long term basis.
7. What role do you think community development will play for the generations to come? What makes it essential?
Community development is an essential component of development work as it lays the ground work upon which future generations may improve their conditions, and guarantees long term sustainability. Community development gives individuals the tools and resources that they need to improve their own lives and communities, which in turn translates into positive impacts on the future of their children and the community as a whole. For example, when a young adult is able to come to a Smiles Clinic and receive dental services as well as proper oral hygiene techniques, proper nutrition, and the value of periodic visits to the dentist, this is all information which he or she retains and passes on to future generations.
8. What are some of the ways by which general public, particularly youth, can help make a positive change for your organization?
Volunteers have always played a key role in the Smiles Foundation, both in Canada and in the Dominican Republic. In Canada there are numerous opportunities for volunteers including: helping with graphic design for publications, helping out with administration in the office, preparing grant proposals, and helping with logistics of shipments to the Dominican Republic. We are also very open to suggestions from individuals who have ideas for volunteer projects. In the Dominican Republic, the organization also has a long history of receiving volunteers who have played important roles in the organization. International organizations such as the Canadian Society for International Health, the Japanese Development Agency and the Peace Corps have all sent young professionals to work with the organization. Canadian dentists and dental hygienists have also visited the organization frequently to carry out professional development activities with our local dentists and support team.
The Smiles Foundation is also in need of financial support, through donations or fund-raising efforts. While all operations in the Dominican Republic are self sustainable, funds raised in Canada help cover the minimal costs of our office in Toronto, and the logistics and shipping of donated dental materials and supplies to the Dominican Republic yearly. If you are not able to contribute financially to the organization, volunteering or organizing a fund-raising activity are both great ways to help out. Fund-raising activities are particularly well suited to youth and provide the opportunity to raise consciousness of development issues while contributing to the Foundation at the same time.
Youth are our future. Young people can do so much: create fund raising activities in their educational institutions, volunteer their time, collect donated items for various age groups as well as speak in schools, churches and different service clubs or groups to create the awareness.
9. Please provide links/urls to your organization and current projects.
Smiles Foundation Canada Website:
http://www.smilesfoundation.org
Smiles Foundation DR Website:
http://www.clinicasonrisas.org
Smiles Foundation Canada Facebook page
Smiles Foundation DR Facebook page
Have you been inspired by someone who has brought a positive change or made a positive difference on a macro or a micro level?
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