Spreading smiles:
Students bring dental, medical care to Bolivia

Original Article

Even a travel warning because of political tensions in Bolivia didn't prevent a group of 16 UC Davis students from bringing medical and dental care to the country's poverty-stricken residents last month.

The students, part of a nonprofit campus organization called Spreading Smiles, spent the week before Christmas in the heart of the South American jungle. They gave pain medication, antibiotics, dietary advice and teeth-cleaning services to more than 3,000 people.

'The American consulate in Bolivia posted a warning only a few days before we planned to leave. But, after an emergency meeting to decide whether we should continue on our humanitarian trip, the volunteers unanimously decided to go, regardless of the current unrest affecting the very airport where we would arrive,' says Cedric Papa, former vice president of Spreading Smiles.

Come join us for a slide show presentation this Thursday (01/24/2008) from 8:00-9:30 pm in Wellman 26, to hear all about our recent trip to Bolivia. If you are interested in traveling with us next year don't miss this opportunity to hear all about it.

For visitors to UC Davis, please visit the UC Davis visitors page for information on campus maps and directions. On campus parking can be found at: Visitor Parking Lot 15 and North Entry Parking Structure.

Please go to our media page and see our latest pictures and videos from our Bolivia Winter 2007 Trip.

12/05/07
By THUY TRAN, The California Aggie
Published: December 4, 2007
(U-WIRE) DAVIS, Calif. -- A group of 17 UC Davis students will be going to the jungles of Bolivia this winter break to help thousands of people in need of dental and medical care.

Spreading Smiles has participated in the following events:

Costa Rica 2008 Trip:
[Dec 14, 2008 - Dec 21, 2008]

Please come to our Costa Rica Trip presentation held at UC Davis.