10,000 toothbrushes bring more smiles to children living in poverty in Tanzania
Media Release , Corporate

Underprivileged and poverty-stricken children in Tanzania are receiving life-altering personal health care products – which most Australians take for granted – thanks to the generosity and warm hearts of Hills employees and other like minded people.

Donations made by Hills staff around Australia recently went towards providing 10,000 much-needed toothbrushes to impoverished children in Kagera, a region in north-eastern Tanzania.

The toothbrushes – together with 2000 mosquito nets – were handed out by big-hearted Hills employees Leonie Cox, who was on her third visit to Katoke in Kagera, and colleague, Maria Hagidemetriou, who was on her maiden trip to Tanzania.

Leonie is the National Business Development Manager for residential with Direct Alarm Supplies, and Maria works with Antenna and TV Systems. Both are based at Riverwood, New South Wales.

A feature of their trip was meeting up again with a young man named Kutuzi – who Leonie had met on a previous visit – who had contracted a large tumour in his mouth, jaw and throat. His illness highlighted the huge dental issues facing these people, and sparked the idea of a dental program.

Now the owner of a new titanium jaw following surgery, Kutuzi is today eating and smiling normally and is expected to lead a normal life.

Helping people like Kutuzi is one of the driving forces behind Leonie starting a new dental aid program in the area, which culminated in dental hygiene education – including the distribution of more than 10,000 toothbrushes and toothpaste – being introduced into 21 local schools.

“Tanzanian people are truly amazing, resourceful people who I just admire so much,” said Leonie.

“Despite their own personal predicaments, they never complain and always welcome us with open arms and beautiful smiles,” she said.

“They continue to thank us for the support and work we are doing in trying to change poverty by education, health and other support of basic resources – all with the assistance of people from Hills who donate to this great cause.

“We visited schools in remote communities which I have visited previously, this time to educate and distribute toothbrushes, and also start a new dental aid program to assist children in the Kagera Lweru area at Lake Victoria (Lweru means place on the lake
in Swahili).

“Without the support and generosity of a lot of people at Hills it would not be possible to undertake our program to help support the kids in Kagera. Thank you to everyone once again for your very kind donations – both great and small.”

If people would like to continue to support the Kagera Dental Program by donating a toothbrush or toothpaste, please forward them to either Leonie or Maria at Hills Riverwood.