Local Dentists, Hygienists Needed For Rotary Mission To Timor-Leste

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Are you a dentist or dental hygienist? Do you have a passion to help and teach others in your profession? Rotary District 6400, which includes Rotary clubs in southwest Ontario and southeast Michigan, invites you to consider joining its Vocational Training Team headed to Timor-Leste in Maritime Southeast Asia in May 2015.

The Vocational Training Team is a Rotary sponsored exchange that enables professionals to utilize their training and skills to assist a less developed county. Participating Rotary Districts provide transportation, housing and food for the team during the exchange, and team members are expected to provide training in their profession in the host district.

Timor-Leste is an island country just north of Darwin, Australia. A former colony of Portugal, it is one of the world’s newest countries, achieving independence in 1975. Between 1975 and 2002, war with Indonesia ravaged the country until the United Nations and Australian forces brought order. Today, Timor-Leste is rebuilding, and one of its desperate needs is dental professionals.

The University of Dilli has been training dental professionals and is seeking help to complete their training. Rotary District 9550, which includes Timor-Leste, has requested District 6400’s help with a VTT to provide training. Members of 6400’s VTT will travel to Dilli, the capitol of Timor-Leste in early May 2015 and stay for 3 weeks. During that time, they will help staff from the University of Dilli with training dental students. When possible, team members will join students in mobile clinical work to prepare them for post-graduate placement.

Rotary will cover all costs of transportation, housing, food and dental supplies during the exchange. Team members will be asked to pay for their own passports, inoculations and personal expenses. Team members are also asked to prepare a final report on the exchange and to speak to Rotary Clubs about the program and their participation.

In terms of participation, the VTT is open to dentists and dental hygienists who are willing to spend three weeks in Timor Leste, teaching their profession and helping students learn.

Participation is open to Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike. Rotary District 6400 will select a team of five professionals based upon applicants’ professional experience and interest in international service.

For more information about Rotary District 6400 and to obtain an application, visit their website or contact District 6400 VTT Co-chair Howard Andrews by email at [email protected] or call 734-728-4697. Applications must be submitted no later than March 19, 2015. Final interviews will be scheduled shortly thereafter.