Stories & Smiles

Rain or shine, we’re here to serve—because every smile matters.

In the mountains of Davao del Norte, SFEF brought dental care to the Ata-Manobo indigenous community—where patients walked barefoot for miles in the rain to find healing. This mission was a powerful reminder of resilience, compassion, and the power of showing up.

Hope in the Rain: SFEF Brings Dental Care to the Ata-Manobo Community in Davao

🇵🇭 Hope in the Rain: SFEF Brings Dental Care to the Ata-Manobo Community in Davao

When service meets sacrifice, impact is inevitable.
This quarter, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation (SFEF) team journeyed to Sitio Nasilaban, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte in the Philippines to bring essential dental care to the Ata-Manobo, one of the country’s indigenous communities.


Despite torrential rain and challenging terrain, our mission was clear: show up, care deeply, and serve with compassion.

Rain, Resilience, and the Will to Heal

🌧️ Rain, Resilience, and the Will to Heal

It wasn’t easy. Children and elders walked over 5 kilometers barefoot in the rain just to reach the dental outreach site at Nasilaban Integrated School. Their determination to receive even basic healthcare was both humbling and inspiring.
Many patients suffered from:

  • Severe tooth decay
  • Swollen gums
  • Painful oral infections


For most of them, seeing a dentist is a rare, often unreachable opportunity.
Our team provided:

  • Dental consultations
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Critical medicine to ease pain and prevent further infections

💙 More Than Medicine—It’s Human Connection

💙 More Than Medicine—It’s Human Connection

This mission reminded us that dental care is more than clinical work—it’s an act of love. In the smiles of the Ata-Manobo, we saw the real impact of what happens when people feel seen, valued, and cared for.


Our outreach wasn’t just about health. It was about compassion, connection, and recognizing the dignity of every individual we meet.

Why it matters

Why It Matters

With your support, SFEF can continue to:

  • Reach remote, underserved communities
  • Provide free dental care to those in extreme need
  • Uplift lives with professionalism, kindness, and integrity

Conclusion

The Ata-Manobo community showed us that resilience shines brightest in the face of hardship. Their long walk through the rain was more than a journey for care—it was a testament to hope. With every mission, Smiles for Everyone Foundation is reminded that compassion knows no distance and no barrier. Together with your support, we will continue bringing healing, dignity, and brighter smiles to those who need it most. 💙🦷

Table of Contents

Read More Stories

More Stories

Philippines

Rache Macaranas

Administrator

Col. Percy Macaranas

Administrator

Operating from two locations (Mindanao and Luzon), the Philippines team bring dental care to those most in need, including PDLs (Persons Deprived of Liberty) in city jails and remote tribes like T’boli tribe that often require seven hours or more of travel over rough roads to reach them.

Laos

Dr. Sonexay Kounlavong

Lead Dentist

Good Begin

Administrator

Though they faced economic challenges and massive regional flooding in 2024, the Laos team worked hard to serve their community, including students attending a monastary. This outpost was organically developed by the Thai team, and the two regularly do outreach together.

Rwanda

Dr. Jesse Wong

Lead Dentist

Launched in January 2025, our newest outpost is led by Dr. Jesse Wong, a Canadian dentist who has lived in Rwanda for 10+ years.

With just two dentists for every 100,000 people in the country, the team is gearing up to treat over 4,000 people in their first year of operation, meeting serious needs in the region, where tooth decay in up to 50% of children is due to high levels of fluoride in the drinking water.

Thailand

Dr. Wata Siyootagrai

Lead Dentist

Narissara (Oh) Jearajetchai

Administrator

Working tirelessly to build partnerships and expand operations, our Thailand outpost has served schools, communities and remote tribes.

In 2024, they have placed their focus to serving refugees from Myanmar, the homeless, children in orphanages, and sex workers—those who have the least access to dental care.

Ghana

Dr. Tinuola Esther Mark

Lead Dentist

Kwesi Oduro-Korankye

Administrator

Ghana won the 2024 Outpost of the Year Award for its outstanding work. By partnering with the Ghana Health Service, this outpost has recruited and assigned dentists to each district of the Ashanti region, ensuring comprehensive care.

Paraguay

Judah Mooney

Director, Diaconia

Pablo Ortiz

Administrator

Dr. Andrea Lopez

Lead Dentist

Paraguay was our first outpost, and began with one doctor serving once a month.


Today, the Paraguay team operates a mobile clinic, partners with dentists at their clinics, and runs a program at Guternburg School.

Central America

Dr. Reyes

Lead Administrator

A dedicated team of volunteer dentists provide much-needed care to communities in need. This year, the outpost partnered with a youth organization, offering services and education to children and adolescents who otherwise don’t have access to dental care.

Mexico

Jesus Perez

Director

Using innovative strategies and technology to increase efficiency and overcome barriers, the Mexico outpost is connected with key universities in the area to collaborate with dental school students.



The team also opened a Smiles Dental Consultation Room for patients who need follow-up from the larger outreaches.

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