Rotaplast Missions

HECTORS STORY

 

DR. CAPOZZI & HECTOR PRIOR TO HECTOR'S SURGERY

Hector Javier is a twenty two year old student with plans to become a dentist. Our first contact with Hector was as  a candidate for surgery. Hector had recieved past surgery to correct a cleft lip and palate. During a conversation with Dr. Capozzi Hector expressed that he was not sure he wanted to submit to yet another surgery. Dr Capozzi asked if Hector had access to the internet. When Hector replied that he did, Dr. Capozzi told him to research the procedure for an Abbe Flap.  This conversation occured in the morning, and by early afternoon Hector had returned and wanted to proceed. Our team pediatrian cleared him for surgery, but Hector asked to have his surgery postponed and go last, so he could volunteer to help others. This was how I first met Hector.

 

HECTOR TRANSPORTING A PATIENT TO THE WARD

I would see Hector in the morning when I arrived, and later in the day there was Hector, always cheerful, and always ready to lend a hand in any way he could.

HECTOR WAITING TO HELP

Dr. Doumit one of our surgeons related a conversation he had with Hector regarding Hector's aspiration to become a Dentist. Dr. Doumit was impressed with Hector, and encouraged him to continue his education and consider becoming a physician, or surgeon. Will Hector follow his aspirations? We can only hope so, and wish him success. I have found that Rotaplast changes far more than just smiles.

HECTOR AS A PATIENT

VICTOR WITH HECTOR AFTER SURGERY

Hector's story is just one of many from working with the Pereira Rotarians , Rotaplast Team members, and the volunteers from the Sonrie Fundacion. We will all remember Hector fondly as patient, a volunteer , and most importantly as a friend.

 

WAITING

7:00AM OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL ON THE FIRST DAY

The families line up long before the scheduled opening time in hopes of getting treatment for their children. No one enjoys waiting but these families are patient and hopeful.

WAITING-

The Rotary Club of Periera has done most of the ground work by the time we arrive.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WAIT

The children are a delight and this candid shot was just a fleeting moment of reflection.

YES THEY ARE ALL THIS CUTE

One of the things that amazes me is the trust that is given the Rotaplast Team. These children are almost always well behaved and cheerful. This mission we have a lot of older children that are here for the more advanced proceedures which means they have had prior surgeries and know what awaits them. The younger ones have no idea until they are handed from their mom and dad to the strangers wearing masks. It is an incredibly tender moment.

"EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE FINE DADDY IS RIGHT HERE"

LAST LOOK

MELISSA'S LONG WALK TO SURGERY

MELISSA AFTER SURGERY WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Yes, we do have favorites.

 

COLOMBIA EL HERMOSA

ON THE ROAD IN EL CAMPO

Sunday was our day off, and our first chance to see the countryside beyond the city. Wow, was it beautiful! The sun was warm, and the temperature was in the 70's. The valleys and mountains were respendent in  lush  verdent shades of green. These beautful mountains are part of the Andes and rise to 15,000 feet.

ONE HOUR OUT OF PERIERA & YOU ARE IN PARADISE.

Our Rotarin hosts, The Rotary Club of Periera Perla Del Otun, have been crucial in making this mission the success that it is. On top of everything they have made us feel welcome, and supported our every need. You could not ask for better hosts.

THE ROTARIANS OF PERIERA & THE ROTAPLAST TEAM

 
THE RUNNING OF THE JEEPS IN CLARCA

In Pampolna, Spain they have the running of the bulls. In Clarca, Colombia they have the running of the jeeps. The jeeps are tricked up World War II Willys Jeeps that spin 360 & tilt back precariously, to the roar of the crowd. There are 45 million people in Columbia. Sunday it seemed that they were all in Clarca.

JUAN VALDEZ ?

STREET PERFORMERS

 

 

THE QUILT STORY

On everyRotaplast mission for the past six years Rotaplast has given each child a hand made quilt. A child is matched with their quilt prior to surgery. Then the quilt follows the child through surgery, recovery, the ward, and  home. Each quilt is unique, and each one is exquisite. When a quilt is pulled from the carton all eyes in the room watch to see it as it unfolds.

A QUILT FROM WRAP-A-SMILE

It would not be possible to provide every child with these beautiful quilts without the generous suppport of organizations such as: Wrap-a-smile in Wells Maine, and the North Star Quilters Society of Kimberley, British Columbia. Our team would like to  thank  all the quilters that have shared their talents to provide these children with these exceptional quilts.

DAVID GETS  A WARM QUILT FOR HIS BIG DAY

Mom has two children and both were born with clefts. David received corrective surgery for his palate Monday morning, and his sister  recieved surgery for her palate later this afternoon. 

MUCHAS GRACIAS !

 

IT IS ALL ABOUT FAMILY

It really is all about family.

All parents love their children, and want to provide them with what they need to prosper.

In the United States we have options, and cleft lips are repaired soon after birth. Thanks to Rotaplast and our hosts the Rotary Club of Periera, and the Sonrie Foundation this child will have a very bright future.

Our mission to Periera is going beyond basic cleft repair with important follow up surgeries, some of which require multiple disciplines and long hours in the OR.

 

DR. SACHS AND HIS TEAM

The pictures that follow are some of the examples for why we volunteer.

A MOTHER'S BOND

 

REUNITED

 

 
A MOTHER'S TOUCH

 

SANCTUARY

 

When the team assembles at the end of each day the conversation is about the surgeries, and the children.  When I ask  the Rotaplast volunteers why they would commit their time away from their family and jobs, the answer is always, " did you see the way that mother smiled when she saw her child?"

HOPE

 

 

SPECIAL MISSION

This mission is  different in scope and size than our past five missions to Periera. Our team is only 19 rather than the usual 28-30.  We are reaching beyond the basic cleft lip, and palate repair by providing advanced maxillofacial surgery for older children who have had previous surgery for cleft lip and palate. We are grafting bone material taken from from the hips to repair palates. These surgeries require a lot more time in the operating room. The most complex procedure on Thursday took seven hours of surgery.

These more intensive procedures are only possible with the suport of the Sonrie Foundation, and our hosts the Rotary Club of Periera Perla Del Otun. With our reduced Rotaplast team we are dependent on our local partners to accomplish our goal of providing a succesful outcome for the children of Periera.

 

Dr. Sachs with a patients xray

 

Dr. Sachs in surgery

Recovery

 
Another happy ending to a long day

Touchdown Periera, Columbia

We assembled for the first time as a team in Miami. Our group consisted of twelve medical and five non-medical volunteers. From Miami it was two hopsinto Periera with a layover in Cartegena.

Our first sight of Periera was of the 12,000 foot mountains that appeared to be right off the wing tips as we descended into Periera. A hard thump of the tires on the runway told us we had arrived. After clearing customs with all our boxes we had a very warm welcome from the entire Rotary Club of Periera. I can't think of a better ending to a long trip then the warm welcome was extended to us on Tuesday from the entire Rotary Club of Periera.