May 18, 2012
University of Kentucky Study Abroad Trip
May 18, 2012
University of Kentucky Study Abroad Trip
The following article on Partners members Ruthi and Rankin Skinner appeared in Perspectives, a quarterly magazine published by The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.
Rankin Skinner was just a young boy working on his grandfather’s farm when the spirit of volunteerism and helping his neighbors was first instilled in him, as he saw neighbors helping neighbors as needed sowing, growing and harvesting crops.
Skinner, a 1969 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, has dedicated his life – and his passion for dentistry to the people of Kentucky and far beyond.
“I learned you can’t just be involved in your own life, you have to help out others in need,” Skinner said. “A life of service is where you are happiest and it’s a part of my life.”
Skinner’s career in dentistry began with the U.S. Navy right after graduation from the College of Dentistry until he went into private practice in Winchester, Kentucky in 1971. Over the course of the past 40 years, Skinner has been actively involved with countless volunteer organizations, including Partners of the Americas, since 1985.
Partners of the Americas is an international network that connects individuals, volunteers, institutions, businesses and communities to serve others through lasting partnerships. Currently, Partners has 120 volunteer chapters linked in 60 partnerships. Chapters in the U.S. form partnerships with chapters in countries or states in Latin America and the Caribbean. Each chapter is a private, non-profit institution that works to improve the quality of life of others. One such U.S. chapter is the Kentucky/ Ecuador Partners.
In 2002, Skinner and his fellow volunteers with Partners started the Kentucky/Ecuador Dental Sealant Project, working with 15 clinics in the capital city of Quito and another 15 clinics in Ibarra and surrounding communities. Ibarra is Winchester, Kentucky’s Sister City.
Dental decay in Ecuador is in the 85 percent range. In the United States, the national average is 22 percent and in Kentucky it is about 50 percent, with significantly higher rates in some areas. The goal of the Kentucky/ Ecuador Partner Sealant Project is to significantly improve children’s dental health through education, regular cleanings, and fluoride varnish and dental sealant application.
Skinner’s group hastrained 65 dentists to place sealants and later, fluoride varnish in each of these cities. They provided the material and the government dentists placed it and created a partnership with participating schools, local governments and most importantly, parents. After five years, a dramatic 50 -78 percent drop in decay was noted, from responding clinics.
Skinner’s volunteer work with Partners of the Americas is acually a family affair that involves his wife, Ruthi; their son and daughter-in-law, Ian and Jill; their daughter and son-in-law, Erin and David Smith; and Rankin’s brother and sister-in-law, Donnie and Roberta. The family was honored as the FamilyAward Winners for 2009 by United Way of the
Miss Jazmine Shoup |
April 11 The Kentucky-Ecuador Partners cosponsored, along with the Lexington Public Library Foundation, a concert by Appalatin at the newly renovated 139 seat Farish Theater at the Central Library in Lexington. An audience of over 70 members were treated to the exciting fusion of Latin sounds with traditional Kentucky music unique to this band. Concert attendees were invited to shop a table of Ecuadorian crafts, set-up at the entrance to the theater where volunteers from Kentucky Ecuador Partners were on hand to welcome guests and answer questions about the organization.
Luis de Leon, Yani Vozos, Steve Sizemore, Fernando Moya, Mason Roberts, Marlon Obando Solano |
Appalatin.com
The Lexington Public Library’s events calendar may be accessed with this link:
First, congratulations to new president Jan Yon and all the new board members and previous members in their new positions. I think we have an excellent group that will charge into 2012.
While we listened to the presentations, we dined on a delicious meal from the Nicaraguan Grill followed by Tres Leches cake – yum! We concluded the afternoon by listing all the ideas and suggestions from the breakout sessions. Ideas and suggestions were in abundance, so be on the look out for more communications about all the projects and volunteer opportunities coming this year.
Imelda Inuca demonstrating embroidery |
Songwriter, performer and producer Michael Barnes conducted presentations and workshops in Cuenca, Ambato, and Quito this past summer. In the workshops held during July and August, Barnes taught recording music using Reason software. Presentations demonstrated uploading music to the internet, creating CDs, as well as tips on how to gain an audience, and instruction on building a homepage, and selling music.
“It was an amazing experience. Hopefully, I’ll get to return one day.”
For more information on Michael Barnes and his music, see the “Featured Traveler” column to the left or follow this link: www.michaelbarnesmusic.com
Note: The following two blog posts are the final submissions by Ruthi and Rankin Skinner from their time spent in South America earlier this year.