STRONG VILLAGES INC

(4a) Access for basic dental and medical care is circumstantially denied to the under-served and high-risk segment of the population of the Toledo District in Belize, Central America. In Belize a concurrent lack of awareness of contributing factors for oral diseases and the methods to prevent them results in poor oralhygiene practices compounded by a significant increase in consumption of sugary and highly processed foods. Diabetes mellitus and HIV/AIDS, the first and fourth leading causes of death in Belize, and medical scholarship implicate poor oral health as a causative factor in developing heart disease. The disabled who are unable to travel at all are particularly impacted by the lack of services. Toledo has thehighest rate of disability in the country (8.4%). Strong Villages' Dental Belize Initiative is strongly supported by the Belize Health Ministry and aligns its Initiative with The World Health Organization.Strong Villages also supports the continued renovation of the Tumul kin Health Center in Blue Creek Village which allows for us to serve a population of over 28,000 from surrounding villages. During 2018,over 3500 volunteer hours were provided by dentists and other volunteers in order to serve over 4000 patients. In addition to the dental procedures themselves, education and supplies for oral hygiene were provided. Vision screening was also provided to many of the patients and Strong Villages distributed over 1500 pair of eye glasses. Medical, dental and eye care professional services rendered for 2018 isvalued at $625,000.

(4b) Strong Villages Dental and Medical Volunteers provided services in Ecuador for the second time in 2018. Optometrists provided vision screening to 400 patients, including 150 children. Over 400 eye glasses were distributed. More than 300 patients received dental care including restorations, cleanings,and in some cases extractions. Antibiotics and other medicines were supplied on an as needed basis,and every patient was provided a new toothbrush and tooth paste. Medical, dental and eye care professional services rendered for 2018 is valued at $115,000.