2019 Apartado, Colombia

Jul 2, 2019

The mission begins…

Apartado, Colombia

Rotaplast team members meet Saturday evening at San Francisco International Airport to begin the journey to Apartadó, Colombia. Twenty-nine medical and non-medical volunteers will arrive with 22 boxes of ... Read More »

Jul 2, 2019

Opening day clinic

Apartado, Colombia

The mission begins with a clinic to meet all prospective patients. Word went out across the region that Rotaplast is coming. Families were scheduled to arrive throughout the day to reduce waiting time. The... Read More »

Jul 3, 2019

Emmanuel gets an obturator

Apartado, Colombia

Emmanuel is an adorable seven month old boy, born with a bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate. At his age, he would be a good candidate for repair of his lip. Unfortunately, he arrived with a respiratory i... Read More »

Jul 4, 2019

Our first new smile

Apartado, Colombia

Manuel is an energetic 7 month old boy. He has a 2 year old sister that does not have a cleft. His parents heard about Rotaplast from Alexandra, a speech therapist with the non-profit Fundauniban.   M... Read More »

Jul 4, 2019

“Please help my brother.”

Apartado, Colombia

Esneida, 15 years old, was born with a cleft lip. Her 13 year old brother was born with both a cleft lip and palate. They are from the indigenous Embera tribe. As infants, they went to Medellín for treatm... Read More »

Jul 5, 2019

Meet the team

Apartado, Colombia

We are midway through the mission and everyone is working expertly toward our common goal of changing the lives of our patients. And judging by the high-fives, fist bumps, photos and smiles between the pat... Read More »

Jul 5, 2019

Hector: From Patient to Volunteer Extraordinaire

Apartado, Colombia

Anne DeLaney, Mission Medical Director with Hector Villegas, Orthodontist Born in Medellín with a cleft lip and palate, Hector was fortunate to receive early intervention to repair the clefts. But a child... Read More »

Jul 6, 2019

A Birthday Present for Dulce

Apartado, Colombia

Dulce was born with a cleft lip one year ago today at Clinica Panamerica. Rotaplast was there too, on their first mission in Apartadó. Dr. Anne DeLaney was the Rotaplast mission medical director and met t... Read More »

Jul 7, 2019

Another Birthday Present on Saturday

Apartado, Colombia

Nuvia, accompanied by her daughter Ana, arrived for surgery on Saturday. It was also her 53rd birthday, making it even more special for her. At age 15 a petroleum lamp accidentally set her clothes on fire.... Read More »

Jul 8, 2019

Training Local Dentists

Apartado, Colombia

Children born with a cleft lip or cleft palate often require years of orthodonture for improved speech, nutrition, dental hygiene and appearance. It can also be necessary as a precursor for future surgerie... Read More »

Jul 8, 2019

Dulce Gets Her Birthday Present

Apartado, Colombia

Sandra holds her daughter, Dulce, and both are thrilled with the results, thanks to the expertise of the Rotaplast team and all who have supported this mission. Read More »

Jul 9, 2019

Anatomy of the Apartadó Mission

Apartado, Colombia

Every morning at 7:00 am the team boards the bus for a short drive to the Clinica Panamerica. Off the bus and into the hospital for another busy day. Dr. Anne DeLaney, Medical Director discusses the day wi... Read More »

Jul 10, 2019

Appreciation

Apartado, Colombia

Daniel and his mother want a photo with Dr. Jim Leake to show their appreciation. Morning rounds are more than medical checks. Patients and their families have had a chance to absorb the significance that ... Read More »

View All
Latest From Around The World
Mar 15, 2024

Cebu City Day 8 – F...

Cebu City, Philippines

The stories shared by the families served during the Cebu City Rotaplast surgical trip are powerful testaments to their determination and willingness to travel great distances and overcome so many obstacle... Read More »

Mar 12, 2024

Cebu City Day 7 – T...

Cebu City, Philippines

Day 5 of surgeries is continuing to literally save smiles and change lives. You might be wondering how you bring a world-class surgical team together? Share the Rotaplast story! Our Rotaplast surgical team... Read More »