Stepping Outside the Box

It was an adventure we would never forget.consisted of a check-up and if needed, dental
On July 23rd, 2008, a group of thirty-oneextractions. (They were more afraid of the shot
volunteers journeyed to Ecuador on a programthan the extraction!) There was no electricity. No
called Causes For Change International. Most camefancy equipment. And no x-rays. A flashlight
from the Chicago area, but others ventured fromprovided light over each child's mouth.
Ohio, Michigan, California, Jamaica and even fromFrom our hotel base in Naranjal, Ecuador, a bus
as far as Australia. For many, this was a first-timedrove us to different remote schools. Each day,
experience. Our purpose was to provide freeabout 500 children waited at a schoolyard,
medical and dental services to poor children whoaccompanied by a parent. They came by bus,
had never received help before. For those whocanoe or on foot, often traveling for hours. An
weren't healthcare professionals, we offered toarmed guard stayed with us for added protection.
do whatever we could.We were a handful of people serving 2,300
It was a life transforming experience, filled withchildren in one week. Three dentists. Two general
the joys of giving. My husband Joel Sanders, adoctors. An ophthalmologist. An occupational
holistic dentist in Highland Park, couldn't resist.therapist. And everyone else - both youth and
Soon, our intrepid teenage son, Andrew decidedadults from different professions. Using five
to join, along with his buddy, Jack Fuller ofseparate rooms, we set up stations at each
Winnetka. Others from the North Shore includedschool: an education room - teaching kids how to
Highland Park college student Anne Bartels, Dr.brush teeth, a dental room, medical room, eye
Ricardo Senno of Evanston/Lincolnshire anddoctor room and a pharmacy, rationing out 10
Wilmette photographer, George Pfoertner.children's vitamins, anti-parasite pills and aspirin.
As my son Andrew recommended, sometimesChildren sat in a plastic seat, alongside a garbage
you've got to "step outside the box."pail with a plastic bag for spitting. With plentiful
So, although nervous, I decided to go along too.sugar cane and no toothbrushes, toothpaste or
The trip pushed me beyond my preconceiveddental checkups, children in the past had died
limitations, and offered much more than we allfrom dental abscesses. Before treatment began,
anticipated. Causes For Change Internationalsome children screamed. Some cried. And some
showed us a wider perspective of the needsrefused to open their mouth, even with their
beyond "our box," and the value of giving. Afterdesperate mothers urging them on. There was no
all, the deepest connections are the inner ones.other healthcare option for them. Most children in
When given the assignment to collect 1000 smallneed lost their baby teeth. Some had adult teeth
stuffed animals for the Ecuadorian children, itremoved to prevent bigger problems in the
seemed impossible. Yet, with faith and effort, wefuture.
were able to surpass that goal. Thanks to theUnder 90-degree heat, as the kids waited their
generosity of North Shore locals, about 1800 toysturn for hours in the schoolyard, we distracted
were donated, which the children cherished. Dentalthem with activities. Everyone pitched in, doing
supplies were also donated, and monetarywhatever they could. You could see by the looks
contributions purchased 1700 new toothbrushesof gratitude that we were appreciated.
and 250 solar calculators for the schools whichAs the Naranjal Mayor said in an inspiring speech,
lacked electricity."You are the causes for change." I learned that he
It was amazing to realize these children have nowas right. Yes, we each can create change. All it
toys. The stuffed animals motivated the childrentakes is the belief.
to sit down for dental treatment. Dentistry