2010 Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Feb 1, 2010

Arrival!

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Team Barquisimeto 2010 arrived right on scedule this morning in balmy Venezuela. Some team members were quite pleased to be leaving the snow and frigid temps of home. Our full complement of 26 met up in Ho... Read More »

Feb 2, 2010

Opening Clinic: All hands on deck

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

A lush tropical breeze gently blows as I sit writing on the veranda of the hotel at the  military base that is our home for the next two weeks. It feels so much better to relax in the evening darknes... Read More »

Feb 3, 2010

¨He Needs a Smile¨

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Luz Elena brought a newspaper article to the opening clinic with headline, “He needs a smile.” It told the story of her wish for her 21 month old son, Angel, and how she has no money to pay for the Read More »

Feb 4, 2010

Angel update

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Today, Angel got his new smile. Angel laughed with an impish grin as he tossed the surgical glove blown up to a balloon while bravely awaiting surgery. Dr. David Morwood skillfully repaired Angel's cle... Read More »

Feb 4, 2010

New Rotaplast Spanish-English phrasebook

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Mission Director Brian Walker shows off the latest innovation for Rotaplast to a local volunteer, a 36 page Spanish-English phrasebook. Sally Weissinger of Berkeley, California was on previous missions in ... Read More »

Feb 5, 2010

Tamara Leider: First, hugs

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

I struggle to find words to convey how deeply humbling it is for me to spend time with the children at the hospital. One look into their eyes and I immediately see and feel their entire experience of livin... Read More »

Feb 7, 2010

Two more views from the operating room

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

I could only imagine what my experience in Barquisimeto would be like, being a first time member of a Rotaplast team. The only person I talked to before my trip was a physician I work with at my hospital b... Read More »

Feb 7, 2010

Whatever it takes

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Estrella and Ismael were waiting for us when we arrived at the hospital this morning at 6:30, cradling 16 month old Carlos. They read in the newspaper that Rotaplast might be able to repair Carlos’ cleft... Read More »

Feb 9, 2010

Rotary supporting the mission

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

From our first day in Barquisimeto, Rotary president Enedina Suárez has been there in the clinic welcoming everyone in her warm and friendly way – our sunshine lady. Her ever-present lists are being che... Read More »

Feb 10, 2010

Top 11 Things I Learned During My Venezuelan Vacation

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Yes, there’s an extra bonus thing! Text and photos by John Street, Assistant Quartermaster Number 11:  When one of our favorite veteran patient/volunteers yells, “Wash up!” he’s not ordering ... Read More »

Feb 10, 2010

Beverly Hills 90210

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Beverly Hills Rotarians (photo left to right) Dr. Anthony Sokol, Jerrie Heslov, Tamara Leider and Adam Heller and  are now on Day Ten of a life changing Rotaplast Mission in Barquisimeto, thanks to o... Read More »

Feb 10, 2010

“Take care of my son first”

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Pedro and his wife, Dann Mari were waiting for us at the hospital with their son, Dubert, first thing Monday morning. Although it was the sixth day of our mission and the 11th time Rotaplast has come to Ba... Read More »

Feb 12, 2010

From the Mission Director

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

I have been honored to be the mission director here in Barquisimeto for this 2010 Rotaplast mission. I would like to acknowledge Mario Vegas and Aquilis Perez who have been instrumental in arranging all ne... Read More »

Feb 12, 2010

Final thoughts

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

I am sitting on the balcony in the predawn coolness hours before our 7:30 a.m. departure. Concrete block housing beyond the parking lot is silhouetted in front of pink-tinged haze on the horizon. The seren... Read More »

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