At Responsible Trekking, we believe our work can also make a positive difference in the communities along our journey. That’s why we want to share our time, knowledge, and resources with children in places where opportunities can sometimes be harder to come by. We believe that caring for a child’s smile from an early age also means caring for their future.
With this idea in mind, Pequeñas Sonrisas was born a project dedicated to teaching children the importance of taking care of their teeth in a simple, practical, and fun way.
A day of learning and smiles
On September 29, 2026, we visited Educational Institution No. 501358 “Salkantay” in the community of Fortaleza to spend a day learning with the kindergarten and elementary school children.
The activity was led by dental surgeon Jorge Vilca Lechuga from “C&S Implantología Periodoncia” dental center. He explained in simple terms how teeth grow, how to keep them clean, what causes cavities, and how we can prevent them.
To make learning fun, we used a giant toothbrush and dental models. This allowed the children to see, step by step, how to brush their teeth properly and how much time they should spend brushing.
17 Children took part in the activity
A total of 7 Pronoei children and 10 elementary school students took part in the activity. Each child received a small dental care kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, cup, notebook, pencil, and eraser.
The Pronoei children, who are beginning to learn how to care for their baby teeth, received a more personalized demonstration. The dentist showed them how to brush properly and answered their questions. The elementary school students also took part and reinforced what they already knew about dental care.
Small habits for big smiles
More than simply giving each child a dental care kit, we want them to take home something they can use every day: the habit of taking care of their smiles.
Through demonstrations, questions, and games, the children learned that keeping their teeth clean can be simple when they know how to brush properly.
We ended the day with a group photo and plenty of smiles. For us, that was the best memory of Pequeñas Sonrisas. At Responsible Trekking, we want to continue working alongside local communities and creating initiatives that make a positive difference for children and their families.
“Together, we can bring more smiles to the Andes.”