Clarity
If anything, a near-disaster brings clarity. It is so clear why Rotaplast does this work. Why the pediatricians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, patient transporters, sterilizers, medical records keepers, videographers, and other volunteers do this work. There are so many children here in Cebu, and in many other countries, who need this life-altering surgery. They need this for a chance at an education, an occupation, and financial well-being, not to mention for their physical health and self-esteem.
So for the babies, the toddlers, and the teenagers with cleft lip or palate – and for their parents and grandparents – it's pretty black and white. They are infinitely grateful for this opportunity. For the volunteers on this mission today, it feels very black and white. So obviously worth whatever trade-offs were required to take 2+ weeks off from personal and professional commitments at home.
Hopefully, for Rotaplast financial donors, it's black and white too. This money truly changes lives, one child at a time, in ways that are almost unimaginable, and in ways difficult to rival through other organizations. Surgeries can be as short as one hour. A complicated surgery might take 3-4 hours. The entire medical and non-medical staff is volunteering their time. Children walk away from this with a radically improved chance in life.
