Meet The People Behind The Mission
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Together We Smile was founded by Dr. Sandra Vargas and her husband, John Jennings, to meet the urgent need for basic healthcare in Colombia and throughout Central and South America. Together We Smile is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing emergency dental and medical care, along with essential supplies such as equipment, medication, clean water, and transportation.
Our teams typically consist of up to 20 volunteers, including medical professionals and support staff, who work directly within the communities we serve. We are proud to operate with no administrative costs, meaning 100% of donated funds go directly to helping those in need.
Sandra’s passion for this work began in childhood while growing up in Colombia. She witnessed firsthand the deep struggles of underserved communities that lacked access to basic necessities and support. Generation after generation lived in extreme poverty, with little opportunity for change. Those experiences stayed with her and ultimately inspired the creation of Together We Smile. Alongside her husband John, Sandra turned a lifelong dream of service into a mission focused on creating immediate, meaningful impact.
Across many Central and South American countries, pockets of extreme poverty exist where communities face greater hardship due to limited education and scarce resources. These populations are often overlooked and neglected. Women, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable, facing higher risks of abuse, exploitation, and inadequate care. Together We Smile is committed to serving these individuals with compassion, dignity, and support, focusing our energy and resources where the need is greatest.
Our teams typically consist of up to 20 volunteers, including medical professionals and support staff, who work directly within the communities we serve. We are proud to operate with no administrative costs, meaning 100% of donated funds go directly to helping those in need.
Sandra’s passion for this work began in childhood while growing up in Colombia. She witnessed firsthand the deep struggles of underserved communities that lacked access to basic necessities and support. Generation after generation lived in extreme poverty, with little opportunity for change. Those experiences stayed with her and ultimately inspired the creation of Together We Smile. Alongside her husband John, Sandra turned a lifelong dream of service into a mission focused on creating immediate, meaningful impact.
Across many Central and South American countries, pockets of extreme poverty exist where communities face greater hardship due to limited education and scarce resources. These populations are often overlooked and neglected. Women, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable, facing higher risks of abuse, exploitation, and inadequate care. Together We Smile is committed to serving these individuals with compassion, dignity, and support, focusing our energy and resources where the need is greatest.
MissionTo provide essential oral care, education, and resources to underserved communities in South America through mission trips and community partnerships.
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VisionA world where everyone has access to basic oral health care and the opportunity to live a healthy, confident life.
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Why We Started
Together We Smile was founded on a simple belief: access to basic oral care should not depend on where you live. After witnessing firsthand the barriers many communities face in receiving dental care, our team was inspired to take action. What began as a small mission-driven effort has grown into a nonprofit dedicated to serving communities with compassion, respect, and purpose.
Compassion
We lead with empathy, dignity, and respect for every individual we serve.
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Community Partnership
We work alongside local leaders to ensure our efforts are meaningful and sustainable.
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Long-Term Impact
We focus on education and prevention to create change that lasts beyond our visits.
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What makes our
work different
Our approach goes beyond short-term aid. By combining hands-on care with education and trusted community partnerships, we aim to create lasting improvements in oral health and overall well-being.
