2013 Pereira, Colombia

Jan 22, 2013

We’re off to Pereira, Colombia!

Pereira, Colombia

You would never believe we were gathering at 3:30 am at San Francisco International Airport by the lively energy. Must be the excitement of knowing we will soon be using our skills to change the lives of c... Read More »

Jan 22, 2013

Organization day

Pereira, Colombia

Today was devoted to getting ourselves from Cali to Pereira, a 3.5 hour bus ride comfortably managed by our local Rotarian hosts, becoming familiar with the hospital setting and preparing for tomorrow'... Read More »

Jan 23, 2013

Pre-op clinic day

Pereira, Colombia

The first order of business on a Rotaplast mission is the all-important pre-operation clinic. While it's our first contact with the patients, it takes months of planning by the host Rotary organization... Read More »

Jan 24, 2013

Our first patients

Pereira, Colombia

Happy Birthday, "Peluza!" Anderson is celebrating his second birthday today at Hospital San Jorge. Some kids are just too cute for words but with his bowl-shaped haircut his parents have an affec... Read More »

Jan 25, 2013

Juan Diego’s Life Changed Today

Pereira, Colombia

Juan Diego is turning two tomorrow and our Rotaplast team gave him a birthday present that will change his life forever. Betty is Juan Diego's foster mom. Pereira-based Fundación Sonríe invited her t... Read More »

Jan 26, 2013

Santiago ponders his future after Rotaplast

Pereira, Colombia

Jerry Meshulam, Photojournalist Read More »

Jan 26, 2013

The rest of Santiago’s day

Pereira, Colombia

Waiting for surgery.Reunited with mom in the recovery room. After two hours in surgery, Santiago has a new smile and a brighter future. Jerry Meshulam, Photojournalist Read More »

Jan 28, 2013

Meet Team Rotaplast

Pereira, Colombia

We just passed the halfway point of the mission and the pre-op area, operating rooms, recovery room and patient ward are abuzz with activity. Our local hosts have set up a break room where they provide us ... Read More »

Jan 29, 2013

Meet Gustavo

Pereira, Colombia

Gustavo is a confident young man of 21 who was born with a cleft lip and palate. His mother, Maria, talked of her past working with her husband on a citrus plantation. They lived on the farm next to the Read More »

Jan 29, 2013

A touch of love…

Pereira, Colombia

Once again, Wrap-A-Smile has generously donated a colorful, handmade quilt for each Rotaplast patient. Since 2001, international quilters have been crafting and donating quilts to provide a loving touch fo... Read More »

Jan 29, 2013

Rotaplast in the news

Pereira, Colombia

Dr. Carlos Hoyos, a plastic surgeon from Pereira working with the team is interviewed at the opening clinic. It's a big event when Rotaplast comes into a town, especially when a team returns for the si... Read More »

Jan 31, 2013

Some final thoughts…

Pereira, Colombia

Before I end the posts from this mission, I want to give an update on Hector. You may recall that he was profiled when Rotaplast was last in Pereira in July 2011. Hector has had eight surgeries to correct ... Read More »

Feb 11, 2013

Video slide show of the Pereira

Pereira, Colombia

You can view the amazing work of the Rotaplast team in Pereira, and get a sense of the emotional experience for the families. English version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQDBtLQOhaY Spanish version sh... Read More »

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