2009 Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Jan 26, 2009

Long Before We Leave

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Long before we have headed out on the Rotaplast Mission trip to Barquisimeto, Venezuela much work has been done: By the staff of Rotaplast in San Francisco (only 2 seen here).   The volunteers will b... Read More »

Feb 3, 2009

We’ve arrived!

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

We’ve arrived in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. As this is being written it is 7:30pm or so Tuesday evening. Many are going to a dinner given in our honor by the Governor of this state of Lana.  Grapplin... Read More »

Feb 5, 2009

It May Not Be a Record…

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

It may not be a record, but 228 people seen the first day is a big number when it brings with it at least one parent and often 2, and a couple siblings.  That was the task for the first Read More »

Feb 6, 2009

Now Surgery Begins…

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

As I write this it is after midnight and I finally have time to look back on the day & what a day it was! Those boxes that were lovingly packed, paid many extra dollars to bring,  included medical equ... Read More »

Feb 9, 2009

People who Give of Themselves

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

No Rotaplast Mission could happen without the selflessness of its medical and non-medical volunteers. If you passed by one of our volunteers on the street, you might not immediately notice his or her kind ... Read More »

Feb 9, 2009

Change on the Horizon

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Bill De Shazo, MD has been involved in many miracles during his life. The photo above captures just one of those many miracles. When Andrea Olivo and her mother heard Rotaplast was in town they were prepar... Read More »

Feb 11, 2009

We Love them as Our Own

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

We talk with them… We walk with them… We love them into surgery… We carry them back to mom… We love them as our own. Read More »

Feb 12, 2009

Pictures Speaking Volumes

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

The kids are the real story. We play with them… We examine them… They love their children… They trust them into our hands. and we treat them as our own. Read More »

Feb 12, 2009

Last Day of Surgery

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Mario Vegas Barquisimeto’s Rotaplast Mission director has been with Rotaplast in Barquisimeto, Venezuela for about 10 years. He is pictured above with Johanna Mendez who has had both cleft lip and palate... Read More »

Feb 13, 2009

It’s Time to Go Home

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Together, we celebrate the amazing changes that have occurred. We’ve comforted our last patient… We've given new smiles, and seen them through our tears. The whole story can be seen on Andres&#... Read More »

View All
Latest From Around The World
Jun 5, 2025

Looking Back on My First ...

Bangalore, India

By Lata Setty While reflecting on initial impressions serving on my first Rotaplast surgical mission in Bengaluru, South India, starting with SEVEN things I did not know, I witnessed that: #2 Heroic braver... Read More »

Jun 5, 2025

The Legacy of Mr. Jimmie ...

San Francisco, California

By Dr. Marlene Salas-Provance In every profession, there are people who leave a mark not just through their words, but through their courage, kindness, and quiet resolve to make a difference. Mr. Jimmie Ji... Read More »