DSCN2596 Malak, featured here with his mother, is a seven year old with a bilateral cleft lip and is one of our first surgical patients of the mission.  His younger brother, Ahmed also has a cleft lip and will be treated by Rotaplast surgeons later in the week.   Malak is just as friendly and handsome as his photo suggests and mom, dad, aunt and grandparents came to the hospital to provide support and love to Malak and his mother. 

 

Although cleft lip and palate repair are at the forefront of Rotaplast missions, there are some reconstructive cases that are impossible to turn away.  Takwa, is a soft spoken 11 year old who has experienced significant suffering.  Four years ago, her mother and father died in a house fire.  Takwa survived the fire, but her face, back and hands were severely burned, leaving her unable to move her hands due to the massive amounts of scar tissue that fused the fingers and hands together.  Rotaplast surgeon, Jann Johnson removed much of the dead tissue from Takwa's hands, which will allow for greater mobility and use of her hands in the future. Takwa is shown here with her cousin.

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