RATON PEREZ...THE TOOTH FAIRY

While we were getting supplies at the Dental Supply Company they gave us some little plastic tooth holders for when children lose their teeth for the "tooth fairy". When we got back to the clinic we realized that these are in the shape of mice or rats!! Couldn't quite figure that one out.

Until.....

One day we were at the orphanage and talking to Tio Juan. He told us what a challenge it is when all the kids come back to the home and bring their teeth that they have lost. It is really hard for him to be the tooth fairy....so he just has them bring them to the office and he tells them that he knows the tooth fairy really well and he will take care of getting their teeth "turned in". He then went on to tell us that the Guatemalan equivalent for the tooth fairy is RATON PEREZ. The Spanish translation for Raton is RAT....that's right they have a rat come and get their teeth. They receive one quetzal for the tooth (8 quetzales are $1).


Couldn't resist this little boy at the dental clinic. He sat right up in the chair and when Wayne asked him if his tooth hurt he said yes and pointed to the tooth. He sat soooo still while we pulled it, and was thrilled to get his tooth in the holder so he could take it back to Tio Juan!! We have asked several of the older boys if they want to save their tooth....but they have declined!!