When Jyothi and Shashi joined Rotaplast International as interpreters, they brought language skills, professional expertise, and a deep connection to their roots. Their story illustrates how shared purpose and a commitment to giving back can transform lives.
Beginnings in Bangalore
Jyothi working in clinic on patient intake for surgical evaluation.
Jyothi’s husband, Vijay, and Shashi met in Bangalore, India, while studying medicine. Both families later moved to the U.S., with Vijay becoming chief of anesthesia and Shashi serving as chief of pathology at Lowell General Hospital in Massachusetts.
Vijay began volunteering with Rotaplast in 2000 as an anesthesiologist. His commitment led him to join a 2020 mission to Nagamangala, India, with Jyothi, who began her own journey with the organization during this trip.
Discovering a Role
A software engineer, Jyothi expected to assist with data entry but found a larger role as a medical interpreter. Fluent in local languages, she became a vital link between patients and the medical team.
“It was incredible to see how much of a difference clear communication could make,” Jyothi said. “Helping patients understand procedures and feel at ease was so rewarding.” Her experience inspired Shashi to join a future trip.
A Pause and Restart
The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily paused Rotaplast missions, but work resumed in 2023. Jyothi and Vijay returned to Nagamangala, joined by Shashi, who added her own energy and skills to the mission.
Giving Back to Their Roots
Shashi interpreting for physician Mia Wright while on rounds.
For Jyothi and Shashi, volunteering with Rotaplast is deeply personal. It’s about more than medical care; it’s about honoring their heritage and creating lasting change for children and their families.
“The smiles on the parents’ and children’s faces after life-changing surgeries and the gratitude from their families—it’s what keeps us coming back,” Jyothi said. “Translating the care and kindness of the medical team to the patients is truly inspiring.”
Lasting Impact
As interpreters, Jyothi and Shashi bridge cultures and languages, ensuring patients understand their care while fostering trust. They have become essential to Rotaplast missions in Nagamangala, embodying the organization’s mission of transforming lives, one patient at a time.
For Jyothi and Shashi, volunteering is a labor of love and a source of inspiration, encouraging others to use their talents to make a difference.