How a Safari Sparked a Dental Revolution

Original Article: https://sarunibasecamp.com/how-a-safari-sparked-a-dental-revolution/

A single question asked during a safari transformed into a movement bringing smiles back to thousands across one of Kenya’s remote communities. A simple question that truly opened the door to profound change. For Jim and Jody Hardwick, it began during their first safari to Kenya in 2018 with a straightforward inquiry at a local medical clinic: “Do you receive any dental aid?” The answer was no – and at that moment, the seed of something extraordinary was planted. 

Jim and Jody Hardwick's journey together began in 1981 when they met while travelling with Up With People, a global education organization. That year of international exploration instilled in them a deep understanding of our world as a "global community" and the responsibility to share one's gifts and talents to help others live with dignity. Jody, a dental hygienist by profession, brought crucial expertise to their vision. When they asked a simple question about dental care during their 2018 safari to Kenya, the response sparked ten months of determined planning. For their inaugural trip in 2019, Jody's employer, Dr. Jay Bhatt, enthusiastically joined the team, laying the foundation for what would become a life-changing initiative.

A Partnership that Changes Lives 

From the very beginning, the success of the Hardwick Foundation’s dental mission has been deeply intertwined with Saruni Basecamp. This vital partnership began when Saruni Basecamp offered their space for the inaugural dental clinic in 2019, creating a foundation of trust and collaboration that continues to strengthen. Together, we’ve created a sustainable model where the Hardwick Foundation brings specialized dental equipment, medications, and a team of skilled professionals who donate their time and expertise, while Saruni Basecamp provides the crucial infrastructure. 

“Our partnership works because we each bring essential elements to this mission,” explains Jeremiah Mutisya, CEO of Saruni Basecamp. “We secure appropriate treatment spaces, provide comfortable accommodations and nourishing meals for the visiting teams, and most importantly, we maintain year-round connections with communities that build the trust needed for effective healthcare delivery.” 

What began as a single pop-up dental clinic at Basecamp Masai Mara has blossomed into a life-changing initiative that has touched thousands of lives across Kenya’s wildlife regions. This year marked an exciting expansion as the Hardwick Foundation’s teams brought their healing touch to Mara North and Samburu for the first time. 

“Due to the flooding in 2024, Basecamp [Adventure] in the Maasai Mara was undergoing reconstruction during our visit,” Jim explains. “As a result, we temporarily relocated our clinic to Mara North, which turned out to be a meaningful opportunity to reach a new community in need of dental care.” 

The move to Samburu represented an even bigger milestone – for the first time ever, the Foundation operated two dental clinics simultaneously during a single Kenya visit. “Thanks to the insight and encouragement of Jeremiah Mutisya, CEO of Saruni Basecamp, we expanded our efforts even further by travelling to Samburu,” Jim explains. “The dental need in this region is both urgent and extensive, and we are honoured to have played a role in relieving pain and restoring smiles in this underserved region.” 

The Power of Numbers, The Impact of Moments 

In just six days across both locations, the teams achieved remarkable results: 

• 391 patients treated with dignity and care 

• 1,277 procedures performed with skill and compassion 

• 267 extractions that relieved chronic pain 

• 100 fillings that restored function and confidence 

• 179 professional cleanings that prevented future suffering 

• $283,500 worth of free, high-quality dental services provided 

Of the 1,277 procedures performed, many addressed the most prevalent issue in these communities: rampant decay and cavities, which often progress to painful infections when left untreated. 

But beyond these impressive statistics lie the human stories that reveal the true impact of this work – intimate narratives of pain, relief, and transformation that illuminate the heart of this mission. 

Picture a 110-year-old community elder, whose wisdom has guided generations, sitting patiently for treatment. His presence in the clinic was humbling – an embodiment of resilience and the enduring spirit of the community. For the team, it was an honour to serve someone who has witnessed more than a century of life, offering comfort and dignity in his time of need. 

Then there was the young girl who arrived with her face badly swollen from an infected tooth, pain visible in her eyes with every movement. After careful extraction, she returned just two days later completely transformed – the swelling gone and replaced by the brightest smile that lit up the entire clinic. Her joy wasn’t just about pain relief; it was about restoration of childhood, about being able to play, learn, and laugh freely again. 

A pregnant mother came seeking only routine cleaning but was found to have a serious infection requiring immediate attention. The delicate procedure – complicated by her pregnancy – was performed with extraordinary care. Afterward, overcome with emotion and gratitude, she told Jody she would name her baby after her. In that moment, dental care transcended into something much more profound – a bond between women, a promise of new life, and tears of connection that needed no translation. 

Perhaps most striking was the man who arrived barely able to open his mouth – just the width of a fingertip – having silently endured the agony of infection for far too long. Through patience and gentle skill, the dental team gradually gained access and removed the source of his suffering. Word later reached the clinic that he was now able to open his mouth normally, to eat without pain, to speak and laugh without restraint – small freedoms that most take for granted but that had become nearly impossible for him. 

These aren’t just procedures – they’re moments of profound human connection that ripple outward through families and communities, changing lives in ways that statistics can never fully capture. 

The Art of Dental Care in the Wilderness 

Creating world-class dental clinics in remote locations presents unique challenges that require creativity, resilience, and partnership. At Mara North, the team established their clinic in large tents, requiring power to be extended over considerable distances. This created immediate complications for high-vac dental systems that couldn’t function efficiently with the limited electricity, ultimately requiring equipment to be relocated to a nearby house with more stable power. 

The journey continued as the team packed their extensive equipment and travelled eight hours north to Archer’s Post in Samburu. There, they set up operations inside a local hospital—a facility that, like many rural healthcare centers in the region, operates with minimal resources due to chronic underfunding. On the first day of the clinic, the team arrived to find the hospital completely without power and missing working light fixtures. With restoration not expected until late in the day, they faced a potentially devastating setback—precious hours lost while patients waited and the team’s limited time in the region ticked away. 

“With the assistance of Saruni Basecamp, we were able to install a generator that powered the hospital and allowed us to begin patient care immediately,” Jim shares. “Saruni Basecamp also stepped in to purchase the needed light fixtures for a workable solution.” This is where our partnership truly shines. 

From Eight Volunteers to a Movement of Compassion 

“When we began this journey, our first team was made up of just eight dedicated volunteers – and every piece of equipment we used was borrowed,” Jim reflects. “Today, we’ve grown significantly, not only in size but in capability. We now operate with seven fully equipped mobile dental units, a Nomad digital X-ray system, a water filtration setup, and a professional-grade sterilizer.” 

For many patients, this is their first experience with dental care, making trust and compassion as important as technical skill. The Foundation’s commitment is unwavering: “Our goal has always been simple yet powerful: to provide each patient with a dental experience that mirrors the quality and care they’d receive in the U.S.” 

Jeremiah Mutisya, CEO of Saruni Basecamp, emphasizes the exceptional nature of the care provided: “What makes this initiative extraordinary is its comprehensive approach. This isn’t basic dental care—it’s surgical intervention, restorative treatments, and preventative medicine delivered with dignity and expertise. Each procedure represents an investment in human wellbeing that reverberates through families and across communities.” 

Beyond Treatment: Building Lasting Impact 

The Hardwick Foundation approaches their work with a vision that extends far beyond immediate relief. Through community follow-up, education on oral hygiene, building local capacity, and annual return visits, they’re creating sustainable change in regions where dental care has been virtually nonexistent. 

And now, an exciting new chapter is beginning. 

“We’ve been generously gifted an acre of land in Aitong, where we will begin construction of a permanent dental clinic in the next 90 days,” Jim shares with visible excitement. “This facility will bring year-round access to dental care for a region that has relied solely on temporary clinics and travelling teams.” 

The vision extends to Samburu as well, where land has also been offered for a second permanent clinic. “The dental need in this region is overwhelming, and a permanent clinic would be truly life-changing for thousands. We have the plans. We have the partnerships. We have the experience. What we need now is support.” 

Where Conservation Meets Human Wellbeing 

At Saruni Basecamp, we’ve always believed that true conservation only works when communities thrive. Our partnership with the Hardwick Foundation embodies this principle in the most tangible way – connecting the wellbeing of people with the protection of wildlife and wilderness. 

Since 2019, this collaboration has: 

• Touched the lives of 1,448 community members 

• Delivered 5,018 specialized procedures 

• Provided nearly $1 million in comprehensive dental care 

• Dedicated 21 days of service across some of Kenya’s remote regions 

Every safari guest who stays with us contributes to making these initiatives possible. Your journey extends far beyond wildlife viewing – it helps write stories of healing, dignity, and community resilience that will continue for generations. 

As Jim beautifully puts it: “We’re not just building clinics. We’re building hope. We’re showing people that they matter. And in doing so, we’re reminded that ‘love in action’ is the most powerful force we have.” 

Because we all smile in the same language.

If you’re inspired to support the Hardwick Foundation’s mission, you can contribute through Hardwick Foundation’s Website. Every dollar goes directly to funding dental clinics, purchasing supplies, and expanding access to care – making a tangible difference in the lives of Kenya’s rural communities.