The scouts during Smile and See 2025

The Community Rhino Conservation Initiative's scouts play a huge role in the annual Smile and See programme.

Often rising before dawn and sleeping on-site of the next day’s clinic, our logistics crew are responsible for loading and unloading of supplies, set-up and tear-down of tents, keeping medical equipment in good repair, insuring the Smile and See dentist and opticians are fed and hydrated, and a host of other responsibilities. Made up of Imvelo Safari Lodges staff and members of the CRCI Cobras and Cheetahs, these dedicated individuals also pitch in with patient registration, escorting patients to various treatment stations, and organizing transportation and meals for patients and their families. This year, the Smile and See scout team was made up of 18 of our recruits and 9 of our Cobras scouts, split into two during the week of clinics. These recruits, even graduated from their basic training and became scouts during the Smile and See, after our mobile clinic at Ngamo. Read more about this  here

One of the most important jobs of the scouts this year was helping during fluorination applications. Managing school children, handing out thousands of toothbrushes, and delivering dental hygiene lessons. If a Cobra or a Cheetah tells you to brush your teeth, you brush your teeth! The scouts also took this opportunity of having a captive audience of children to share stories of wildlife protection and rhino conservation...inspiring the younger generation is always valuable!

The scouts are proudly “first in and last out” each day of our mobile clinics...and we thank them for that!

For more information about the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative, contact us  here