Skinner's Dental Project

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 has trained 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 actually 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 Family Award Winners 

for 2009 by United Way of the Bluegrass for their outstanding work 

with the Clark County Dental Health Initiative, locally in Clark 

County and abroad through Kentucky- Ecuador Partners. The dental 

initiative in Clark County came about as a result of publicity on their 

work in Ecuador, and in response to concerns about the dental health 

of Kentuckians. 

 It was Skinner’s successful work in Ecuador that led to 

another opportunity for service. On Christmas Day, 2007, in response 

to an article in the New York Times concerning the poor dental health 

of Kentuckians, a local member of the Clark County Community

Ecuadorian Education Abroad Scholarship Awarded to Jazmine Shoup

Miss Jazmine Shoup

"I plan to become fully immersed in the culture and lifestyles of the Ecuadorian people, and am so excited to be given this opportunity!"

We are pleased to announce the 2012 Ecuadorian Education Abroad Scholarship has been awarded to Jazmine Shoup, a sophomore at the University of Kentucky. Jazmine, an Elementary Education major, will be traveling with the UK Honors Program lead by Kentucky Ecuador Partners Education chair, Dr. Larry Grabau.   For 2 weeks beginning in May, she along with 11 other members of the Honors Program, will travel throughout Ecuador visiting Quito, Santo Domingo, Tena, Mindo, Cotacachi, and Otavalo, among other places. The trip is designed to introduce the students to culture, environment, language, indigenous communities, food, and overall atmosphere of the Ecuadorian life style.

Following the Honors Tour, Jazmine plans to spend an additional two weeks working with the organization Compassion International. She will be living with an Ecuadorian family and helping in the home country office coordinating youth sponsorships, as well as helping with youth activities sponsored by Compassion in Quito.

Kentucky-Ecuador Partners awards one $500 scholarship each year. This is the 3rd one that has been awarded.   The purpose of the scholarship is to support study abroad in Ecuador, and to increase awareness of the Kentucky-Ecuador Partners of the Americas program among a new generation of students.  The scholarship honors Ronn Padgett (1946-2004) who was devoted to the mission of Kentucky-Ecuador Partners.  Ronn served the organization as President, member of the Board of Directors, and as chair of numerous committees.  Factors taken into consideration for eligibility include academic achievement, financial need, GPA, relevance of the Ecuador program to the applicant’s education and career goals, and previous international experience.  

Last year's recipient was Nick Bratcher who was featured in this blog as Featured Traveler. During his travels, Nick provided over 25 detailed and colorful posts to this blog. (See posts beginning with Day 1 - Quito). and currently serves as chair of the membership committee.

We congratulate Miss Shoup and look forward to her contribution our blog. Jazzy, best of luck and buen viaje.

Appalachia Meets Latin America in Free Concert

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.

 Yani Vozos, the band's frontman, noted that his interest in Latin music was spurred by attending a Partners sponsored concert of Ecuadorian music in the Central Library some 15 or more years ago. Among the musicians is Fernando Moya , a native of Quito, Ecuador, and master musician of indigenous instruments from the Andean Mountains in South America.

 Luis de Leon, Yani Vozos, Steve Sizemore, Fernando
Moya, Mason Roberts, Marlon Obando Solano

To learn more about Appalatin and to hear examples of their music click on the following link.

Appalatin.com

The Lexington Public Library's events calendar may be accessed with this link:

Lexington Public Library Calendar

2012 Annual Meeting

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.

Saturday, January 28 we enjoyed an inspiring annual meeting. In addition to breakout groups discussing the many interesting possibilities for KEP in membership, fundraising and marketing/communication there were three fascinating speakers. 

First, María Moreno, a graduate student who is doing research work in the field of anthropology, talked about the changing roles of women in the native highland villages. She noted that as women become more involved in politics their role in the home and the community is changing. It was interesting to hear about the strength of the women as they meet these challenges.

Following Ms. Moreno's presentation Nick Bratcher spoke about his project in Ecuador building a playground for the community. He spoke of the life-changing experience, the friends he met and the thrill of seeing the children swarming the new playground "like ants." Nick's presentation reminded me of all our experiences meeting great new friends in Ecuador.

Hali Gaither was asked for an impromptu explanation of her recent trip. She went as part of a grant. She echoed the sentiments of the previous speakers in the delight in meeting such warm and welcoming hosts. Like all of us, she is looking forward to her next trip to Ecuador.

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. 

One of which I can already divulge. Wednesday, April 11 at 7 PM the Kentucky Ecuador Partners and the Lexington Public Library will host Appalatin at the Central Library Farish Theater. Appalatin combines Bluegrass and Latin music. Crafts from Ecuador will be available for sale before and after the show (lots of new stuff!). Bring a friend. Bring your family. And it's FREE!

Peggy McAllister

former president

You Are Invited

We encourage all members and those who might be interested in becoming involved in Kentucky Ecuador partners to attend the annual meeting Saturday, January 28.

The day  will include luncheon catered by the Nicaragua Latin Grill, talks by a couple of our student travelers as well the business meeting and elections.

This year In-kind contibutions are children's books in Spanish and art supplies.

Please respond  to Kay Roberts by January 20.

See the invitation below for details.