Art for Gorillas

Our students and their families live meters away from the boundary wall of Volcanoes National Park.

Endangered mountain gorillas, forest elephants, forest buffaloes, and golden monkeys are their neighbors and the relationship is not always amicable.

My project has the opportunity to shed light on the interrelation of all living things during our classes with primary school-aged students – some of whom only feel disdain toward their fellow primate, the mountain gorilla.

Staying Healthy, our current unit, offers why we want to stay healthy – both mentally and physically – and the hows and whys to Stop Spreading Germs and Hand-Washing Rules.

Today we continue with Keeping Our Teeth Healthy.

My dentist friends in Des Moines, Iowa donated brushes and paste. Thank you again Drs. Joey, Dan, and Jeff.

Four students at a time sit in front of mirrors and brush their teeth and tongue for 3 minutes.

Students remain serious during their efforts in staying healthy and clean.

Class includes discussions on the traditional dental care methods, or more appropriately the only means available at present for most of these kids. A twig is a fine option when buying a modern toothbrush is beyond the family’s financial capacity. One end of the twig is at a point for picking the teeth. The other end is chewed in order to produce fibers for brushing.

Using a twig as a toothbrush isn’t the funny thing…not brushing your teeth is.