TANZANIAN DENTAL SCHOOL TECHNICIANS VISIT THE USA FOR TRAINING
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences Dental School (MUHAS) Technicians Participate in a Three-City Training Tour
New York, NY, July 16, 2010 – Two young dental school technicians, William Mihayo and Haruna Matwili, from the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences Dental School (MUHAS) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania recently completed three weeks of technical training in three US cities. The training was sponsored by leading US dental manufacturing and supply companies, Dental Components International (DCI), Midmark, Sirona and Henry Schein, Inc., and facilitated by Miracle Corners of the World (MCW).
The goal of the visit was to train the technicians to maintain and repair equipment donated to MUHAS in 2009 as part of a larger effort to renovate and upgrade the dental school, as well as to provide them with the knowledge and skills to train future technicians in Tanzania.
“This ‘train the trainer’ sustainability initiative between the university and the private sector, with Miracle Corners as the facilitator, is a true public-private partnership,” said Dr. Marion Bergman, MCW Oral Healthcare Director. “The training was coordinated and sponsored by MCW board member, Dr. Anne Eiting-Klamar, CEO of Midmark, and Amy Spencer of DCI. “We are so grateful to everyone for their commitment to building a sustainable model of collaboration.”
At the DCI facility in Newberg, Oregon the two technicians learned how to repair and maintain the dental chairs and units donated by John Spencer, CEO of DCI, and his family. In March 2009, Mr. Spencer led the team of US technical experts, who traveled to Tanzania to install the dental equipment.
From Newberg, Mihayo and Matwili traveled to Sirona’s facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they learned about maintaining the x-ray equipment.
The tour ended at Midmark’s facility in Versailles, Ohio, where Jeff Sanders who installed the Midmark-donated cabinetry, ultrasonic cleaners and sterilizers in Tanzania, trained the young technicians in maintenance and repair.
In addition to the training, the technicians learned about life in America. “They worked all day and, in the evenings, Jeff took them bowling and horseback riding. They were also at a putt-putt and a minor league baseball game,” said Dr. Eiting-Klamar.
At the closing awards dinner, Mihayo and Matwili were presented with graduation certificates and a photo album of their trip to the USA. In her remarks, Dr. Klamar said, “William and Haruna, you are key stakeholders for the dental school and your commitment and passion are important for the success of the school! You are very important to the dental school and the health of the people of Tanzania.”
The training project builds on a September 2008 memorandum of understanding between MUHAS and Miracle Corners of the World (MCW) on a collaborative oral healthcare initiative. Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and the Ministry of Health, under the leadership of Health and Social Welfare Minister David Mwakyusa, supported the project from the beginning.
The following individuals helped make the training project in the USA possible:
Ron Appel, Henry Schein, Inc.
Regina Arrigio, DCI
Brad Donaldson, DCI
Jean Hyman, Midmark Dr. Febronia Kahabuka, Associate Dean MUHAS Dental School
Chris Kemper, Midmark
James Malloy, Sirona
Troy Nelson, DCI
Jules Paoletti, Henry Schein, Inc.
Jeff Sanders, Midmark
Joe Schartung, Henry Schein, Inc.
Dave Terrill, DCI
To view pictures visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/miraclecorners/sets/72157624508885430/.
About Miracle Corners of the World Miracle Corners of the World (MCW) is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 with the mission to empower youth to become leaders of change. Based in New York, MCW serves youth through Leader
ship Training, Community Center, and Partner Initiative programs (Oral Healthcare, Genocide Prevention, and Container initiatives). For more on MCW, visit www.miraclecorners.org.
