Eight-year-old Reynaldo Versoza Jr. had already traveled farther in his short life than most children his age ever would.
His journey began on the small island of Masbate, where he was born prematurely at just seven months, one half of a set of twins. From the beginning, his life carried challenges. Reynaldo entered the world with both a cleft lip and a cleft palate—conditions that made eating, speaking, and interaction with peers difficult.
At Reynaldo’s school, one of his teachers saw more than just a shy boy in the classroom. She had once worked as a midwife at the Adventist Hospital in Cebu, and she recognized immediately that Reynaldo’s condition could be treated. She told the family about the Rotaplast surgical mission in Cebu—a program that provides life-changing cleft surgeries to children in need.The idea seemed almost impossible. 
When they arrived at the Rotaplast clinic, the initial plan was simple: repair the cleft lip. For Reynaldo’s mother, it felt like the most urgent step. But during the medical consultation, members of the team—Nan Madden, a nurse practitioner, and Bailey Clement, a speech-language pathologist—gently discussed the option of repairing the cleft palate at the same time. Adriana Gonzalez, a speech pathologist interacted playfully while Bailey and the interpreter reviewed options with the mother.
Through a translator, Bailey carefully explained to Reynaldo what the combined surgery could mean. It would not only help his speech and eating, but it might also stop the teasing and bullying he often faced at school. For a moment, the room was quiet.
Then Reynaldo’s face lit up. The decision was made!
The wait was long. Reynaldo, however, seemed to take the day in stride. He spent the time playing, flipping through picture books, watching videos, and smiling shyly at the volunteers who stopped to talk with him. Now and then he glanced curiously at the photographer documenting the mission, offering a grin that hinted at both bravery and excitement.
Finally, his name was called.
It was time.
The moment every parent both anticipates and fears arrived. Reynaldo hugged his mother goodbye and then, with surprising courage, walked alongside the medical team toward the operating room doors. In her nuturing way, OR nurse Victoria Slama murmured encouraging words to Reynaldo as team anesthesiologists; Jan Bos MD and Ilze Hendricks eased him into a dreamless slumber.
Lead Anesthesiologist; Mark Singleton MD, expertly administered the nerve block to eliminate any chance of pain. Dr. Milton Solis MD performed the complicated surgery beginning with palate repair and progressing to the lip with Colleen Rawlins M.D. having recently completed her medical school studies at DMSF Davao Medical School Foundation observing and hopefully preparing to participate in future Rotaplast missions.
Despite the fast-paced activity in the OR, there is time for an occasional teaching moment.
PACU Nurse Ligaya Agustin, R.N. warmly greeted the patient upon arrival in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, creating a calm and reassuring environment during the immediate recovery period. She carefully monitored the patient’s vital signs and overall condition following the Rotaplast cleft palate/ lip surgery, ensuring the patient remained stable and comfortable. Nurse Ligaya provided attentive, compassionate care while assessing the surgical site and recovery status.
In the recovery area, Reynaldo began to wake in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. Once the patient was stable and responding well, she happily arranged for the patient’s mother to come in, supporting a comforting reunion and continuing the patient’s positive recovery experience. 🌼👩⚕️💙
Soon his mother was brought in to see him. When she reached his bedside, emotion overcame her. Tears streamed down her face as she saw her son resting safely after the operation that would change his future.
Morning arrived after a restless night. Reynaldo was understandably tired, his small body recovering from the procedure and likely feeling some discomfort that comes with healing. Yet even in his quietness, there was a sense that something important had changed. The first steps of recovery had begun.
Beside him, his mother looked different than she had the day before. The worry that had weighed on her face before surgery had softened. After a night close to her son—seeing him safe, breathing steadily, and beginning to heal—she seemed more rested and deeply relieved. The uncertainty of the day before had been replaced with gratitude and hope
The decision to repair the cleft entailed a change in logistical planning. A local Catholic Church had generously offered to provide lodging for children post surgery who needed to stay in the area for prolonged periods of time. This would allow Reynaldo more time to recover and have access to medical observation prior to making the long journey home. This also allows for him to attend Post Clinic and the final medical check before returning home.
Moments like these are often unseen during a surgical mission, but they are where the true impact becomes clear. For families like Reynaldo’s, the gift of surgery is not only the physical repair of a cleft lip and palate—it is the quiet reassurance that their child now has a brighter path ahead.