Smiles in Sierra Leone as Dentist Completes Training
A dentist from Sierra Leone has officially completed his training after receiving funding from the Rotary Club of Berkhamsted Bulbourne.
Dentist Harriet Carver was inspired to try and help fund trainee Joseph Dumbuya’s training, after meeting him whilst working in Freetown. She first met him in 2004 and subsequently introduced him to the committee of the club. The members were inspired by his story and wanted to help him achieve his dream of qualifying as a dentist and owning his own practice in Freetown.
Today, Joseph is now a fully-fledged dentist thanks to donations from the club, which enabled him to study in Hungary. Between 2010 and 2015, the Rotary Club donated £11,500 to fund Joseph’s course.
Joseph has now returned to Sierra Leone and is hoping to start work in Freetown in September. With Harriet’s help and a donation from Dentaid, he has access to a wheelie bin filled with essentials, including a portable dental chair. He is one of just seven qualified dentists in the country.
Chair of the club’s international committee, Rob Ferneyhough, said that everyone is glad that Harriet introduced them to Joseph. He said the club is delighted that he has qualified and he will now make a positive difference to people living in Freetown. The club wishes him every success in what they are sure will be a very bright and prosperous career.
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