2018 Naypyitaw, Myanmar

Jul 26, 2018

Day 1 – Thinking outside of boxes

Naypyitaw, Myanmar

There are no words to describe a mother’s anguish knowing her child is born with a birth defect like a cleft lip and/or palate. Although it is more common in developing countries, these young mothers... Read More »

Jul 27, 2018

Day 2 and 3 – A picture worth a thousand words

Naypyitaw, Myanmar

After a 30 hour journey from San Francisco, the team enjoyed a quiet evening of Myanmar cuisine, team bonding and jet lag recovery. Day 2 started with the entire Rotaplast team, including local medical sta... Read More »

Jul 29, 2018

Day 4 – Transformers

Naypyitaw, Myanmar

The day the team has been waiting for, the first surgical day. We arrive at the hospital early to ensure both operating rooms are set up and medical supplies are properly stored for easy access. Following ... Read More »

Jul 30, 2018

Day 5 – Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Naypyitaw, Myanmar

A surgical team is made up of  at least a surgeon, an anesthesiologist and a scrub and circulating nurse.  A cleft lip surgery usually spans about 45 minutes and a palate about 90 minutes.   A typical ... Read More »

Jul 30, 2018

Day 6 – Time

Naypyitaw, Myanmar

Warning: this article includes graphic images some readers may find disturbing. “Time is the most valuable thing that a man can spend.” –  Diogenes Laërtius We are here as volunteers, giving... Read More »

Aug 1, 2018

Day 7 – The shoe that grows

Naypyitaw, Myanmar

Many of the volunteers on the mission belong to other non-profit organizations.  Diana, our medical records keeper, introduced us, and the kids of the mission, to The Shoe that Grows  https://theshoethat... Read More »

Aug 2, 2018

Day 8 – Happy New Year and Happy Birthday

Naypyitaw, Myanmar

The start of a new year brings new beginnings and a hope for better things to come. Sometimes, it’s a blessing because we may have suffered loss throughout the year and want for a fresh start. And so... Read More »

Aug 2, 2018

Day 9 – Never Never Land

Naypyitaw, Myanmar

Netherlands Rotary is a major sponsor of this mission.  Not only did they provide the mission with financial support, they provided the mission with volunteer support with Marianne Koebrugge, Marie-Jose d... Read More »

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