The name Simply Smiles meant so much more after reviewing this story submitted by Evelyn Fenick. The photo submission name “Give” lends us just a little insight into the amazing charity work and joy that Simply Smiles and Evelyn gave to the Oaxaca village in Mexico.

Evelyn’s mission trip with Simply Smiles was full of eye opening experiences. Each day brought new challenges but at the same time companionship and understanding from all involved. One day consisted of visiting an orphanage that Simply Smiles built. Here the volunteers got to play with the children, cook, do crafts, and even listen to a mariachi band. Even though many of the volunteers knew little Spanish, “the children still welcomed me and we were able to communicate solely with smiles.” says Fenick. Despite having so little, the children were cheerful and excited to have the extra companionship.

One of the most remarkable experiences in Oaxaca was when the organization and volunteers visited the city dump. There were families living and working in the dump. Families spend most of their days work searching through the dump to collect items they can then sell. Each bag that they collect is worth one dollar. Volunteers were instructed to shake all of the families and workers hands. The reason why is heart wrenching. Buyers of the collected bags will not even place the dollar in the workers’ hands. Instead, they put the dollar payment on the ground. Shaking the workers’ hands gave a sign of respect and was very appreciated.

Late in the week the organization returned to the dump and had a drive of shoes, clothes, sheets, milk, towels, toilet paper and non perishable foods. Families lined up to choose what they needed. Even though each family was very much in need, the love and compassion the villagers had for one another was undeniable. A family chose a pair of shoes, as another family stood behind them, the man offered the shoes he had just chosen to the man behind him – he thought that this other family would have liked the shoes very much.