| Follow / Join Us | ||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Restoring Smiles - Changing Lives
A dental & development charity working towards a world free from dental pain
About us » Our History
Why Tanzania? Why Dental and Community Development?
Bridge2Aid’s founders, Ian and Andie Wilson met in Tanzania in the mid 1990s, during which time Ian was making short term dental visits and Andie was helping to build an orphanage in a village in the Mwanza region. After marrying in the UK, they founded B2A and returned in 2002 along with their young family. The need for dental services and work with the street communities was clear, and in discussion with local & national government and other agencies that became the focus of B2A.
Timeline
1990’s - Bridge2Aid’s founders, Ian and Andie Wilson met in Tanzania in the mid 1990s, during which time Ian was making short term dental visits and Andie was helping to build an orphanage in a village in the Mwanza region. They got married in the UK, but had a strong desire to return to Tanzania.
2002 – The Wilson’s founded Bridge2Aid and returned to Tanzania with their young family.
2003 – Bukumbi Care Centre
At this point, refurbishment began at Bukumbi Care Centre and became the focus of our Community Development work. Teams came out a few times a year to refurbish the living accommodation, health centre, community block and local school. This gave the residents a sense of pride and independence.
2004 - Hope Dental Centre Opens
Hope Dental Centre opened in October of 2004 and operates on a unique self-funding basis. Now seeing over 280 paying patients each month, all the profits are used to help fund our operations in Tanzania. We also provide subsidised and free dental services to the poor.
2004 – Dental Volunteer Programme (DVP)
With a team of xxx dentists and xxx nurses, the pilot programme was held in November 2004. From this small beginning, we now operate 13-day trips for volunteer dentists/nurses four times a year! The volunteers support Clinical Officer training, and are also heavily involved in delivering basic dental services in the rural areas.
We have hosted 21 programmes to date with plans for expansion!
2007 - Education becomes a big focus at BCC
We have always known that education is the key to the future and in 2007, an Education Coordinator was hired to help improve school attendance and the learning standards of the children living in and around Bukumbi. Over the years, this role was integral in getting the older school children into sponsored secondary school and trade school ensuring the best futures possible for the children of the centre.
2009 – Community Development Worker hired for BCC
The Community Development Worker role has been integral in starting income generation groups and working on reintegration of some of the people currently living at BCC. The income generation projects include sewing, weaving, beads and jewellery making and farming.
