Annie Zancanella, who grew up in Glenwood Springs, is a force for good, spreading her light from the mountains of Colorado to the remote villages of Tanzania. Her passion is providing quality dental care and education to those who have the least access to it, and she has been volunteering in Africa for the past six years.
Outside of Arusha, Annie connects with the Flying Medical Team to reach distant villages. She loves to share her knowledge of dentistry and educate others on anatomy and proper dental hygiene. Annie chooses a new school each week to spend time educating children, teachers, and staff, and she volunteers in local hospitals. She gives out toothbrushes and toothpaste, some of which have been donated by Colgate in Kenya, and many purchased and donated by Annie herself. Annie spends six months volunteering in Tanzania and the rest of the year working from Glenwood Springs to Aspen, saving money for the next trip. The bulk of the money she earns goes towards dental equipment and supplies for the villagers, travel and visa expenses, and supporting two young Tanzanian girls with their school fees.
Annie’s family has a long history in Glenwood Springs and of being in service. Her ancestors settled in the valley in the late 1800s, and four generations later, Annie and her sister Christy still live in their childhood home. Their father and grandfather were both dedicated fire chiefs and valued members of the community. Although her parents are no longer with us, their spirit is very much alive in their children. Annie is also a fierce fighter and dedicated to helping others. As a cancer survivor, Annie knows what it’s like to face adversity. Not having access to quality healthcare is one of the biggest challenges one can face. After enduring rounds of various treatments, Annie discovered that the most effective medicine for her is being in service.
After losing both parents and multiple other family members in the span of 18 months, Annie realized that she wanted to spend the rest of her life helping others. In search of a place to dedicate her time and energy, Annie was inspired by her mother’s childhood nanny, Juanita, a beautiful soul from Tanzania, and chose to focus her efforts in Africa. Today, Annie is on a mission to provide quality dental care and education to the remote villagers of Tanzania. She has been donating dental supplies and equipment out of her own pocket for years, in addition to her time, energy, expertise, compassion, and care. Her greater goal is to build a clinic dedicated to dental health. We know that dental health is interconnected with overall health, and basic dental education and care go a long way toward preventing disease.
While helping one of the children at a village school, Annie was nicknamed the Tanzanian Tooth Fairy, and it stuck. This special tooth fairy flies around in a medical plane, and she leaves you with way more than money under your pillow—she leaves you with a reason to smile and show off your pearly whites.
Providing free dental care to remote Tanzanian villages, addressing urgent needs and improving overall oral health.
Empowering both children and adults with essential oral hygiene knowledge for a healthier and brighter future.
Delivering healthcare services, including vaccinations and medical aid, to areas with limited access to hospitals.
Join us in making a difference! Your support can help us continue providing life-changing dental care and education to those who need it most.
Annie Zancanella delivers dental care and education to remote Tanzanian villages, improving lives.
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