We were very pleased when Juliet and Kat asked to come and do a volunteering placement with us recently. Juliet (a doctor) and Kat (a dentist) carried out specific “mini projects” during their time at Alalay and managed to get a lot achieved in a short time-frame. Alongside work as general volunteers, Kat ran dental health check-ups for all of our children, and Juliet ran eye tests and a beginner’s first aid course.
Dental health is a huge issue amongst the Alalay kids – toothbrushes are hard to come by (and keep) on the streets, and sweets are plentiful, so many children come in with horrific rotten stumps instead of good milk teeth. Alalay therefore spends a a lot of money (and time!) taking children to the dentists. Kat spent time doing dental examinations with each child, enabling her to identify which children need further treatment, which we will help to fund. She also spoke with all our children about good dental hygiene, how to use a toothbrush and how to look after their teeth.
Juliet’s basic eye tests mean that we have been able to identify which children need to go to the opticians for further check-ups, and then we will be purchasing glasses for any who may need them.
And the beginner’s first aid course was a great opportunity to teach house parents and other staff how to deal with basic treatments and lifesaving techniques. Below you can see staff members proudly holding their first aid certificates.
Juliet and her first aid students
