Mission Statement
Smile Alliance International’s mission is to share the love of God with others by ministering to their social, physical, and spiritual needs. We seek to do this by providing teams of multi-denominational Christian volunteers equipped to provide services in dental, medical, emotional and spiritual areas to those less fortunate. In addition, we also seek to address and improve the quality of life of those we encounter by meeting needs in the areas of education, food, clothing, and shelter.
Overview of Ministry Activity
Smile Alliance International is an all volunteer, Christian interdenominational organization. SAI has been priviledged to join God\'s work in several areas. One area is working with several government and educational individuals leaders to start the first dental hygiene program in the Ukraine. Another is the establishment of dental clinics to serve provide free dentistry to underserved children. Humanitarian aid and assistance to orphanages are also an important aspect of our ministry.
Short term dental teams have been working in orphanages at least once a year. Plans are to bring a physical therapy team in 2007 as well as other dental and medical teams on an ongoing basis.
As an alliance we love to work with other organizations to find solutions for needs we encounter in orphanages and with the street children in Ukraine. We look for churches, civic groups and individuals which will help sponsor orphanages with specific needs and ongoing assistance.
Dr. Richard and Vicki Nelson moved to the Kyiv region of Ukraine in April 2006 to set up a full time dental ministry for orphans and underserved children. Smile House is currently being constructed and in the meantime, Dr. Nelson is working with the YWAM dental van and ministry. Christian Broadcasting Network has generously donated the use of a room in their new medical building (October 2006) to be used for free dentistry on underserved individuals. Dr. Nelson and Dr. Ina Petchuk are providing care in this clinic as well on the YWAM dental van. See http://saismilehouse.blogspot.com for more information on the dental ministry. Vicki is working with orphanages, humanitarian aid sources, and other ministries. For more informaiton see http://smilealliance.blogspot.com
Plans and Goals
Our plans and dreams are big but we also know God\'s are even better than we can imagaine. In the near future, we hope to find funding for completion of Smile House, a facility for the dental ministry and retreat and ministry center. Also, future plans include our own Dental Van which can be driven to orphanages, staffed by volunteer local dentists and a full time self-supporting foreign dentist, and by foreign dentists on short term missions.
Work with orphanages, street children and other ministries is being developed. We are looking for the direction that God wants this ministry to go. The important thing is that this is all for His glory. Psalms 115:1 in the NIV says it all: Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be all glory and honor because of Your love and faithfulness.
