2016 Chittagong, Bangladesh

Feb 1, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – We’re on our way…

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Just a quick initial post to let you know that we’re on our way to Bangladesh. Mission director Brian Walker and quartermaster Dennis Bourassa checked in our 38 boxes loaded with medical supplies to chan... Read More »

Feb 3, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – Day 1: Opening Clinic

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Despite the lengthened travel due to poor visibility for landing in Chittagong, our team of 24 medical and non-medical volunteers gathered for breakfast this morning at 5:30am. We had a lot of work to acco... Read More »

Feb 4, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – Our first patients

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Banana palms float on the afternoon breeze, the same refreshing air carrying the melodic calls to prayer from nearby mosques. Rotaractor Anisur Rahman helps interpret for me as I have a chance to learn and... Read More »

Feb 5, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – Abul’s unexpected handout

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abul’s sole means of support is begging. A year ago he was an able-bodied 27 year old field worker. By chance he grabbed a live electrical wire that had broken away from a nearby building. The final resu... Read More »

Feb 6, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – Shiru

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Shiru is the oldest among her three brothers and two sisters. Thirteen years ago, at age nine, she was home alone cooking on an open fire. She got too close and her clothing caught fire. Neighbors came to ... Read More »

Feb 6, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – Sprightly Shaimul

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Shaimul is joined in the photo by his mother and Rotaract volunteers Carly Robbins and Jamie Carroll. Some kids are just too cute. Shaimul is a lively 10 year old with an infectious smile. He was born with... Read More »

Feb 7, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – Meet Ismail

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Ismail was brought to our clinic on the fifth day by his mother, Farzana, and grandmother, Saju. Fortunately, a visiting doctor referred them to Rotaplast to treat his cleft lip. The family has a cell phon... Read More »

Feb 7, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – The best care for Halima

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Rotaplast takes pride in being resourceful to provide the best treatment possible for patients. Halima came to our clinic with a rare anomaly, a facial cleft beside a bilateral cleft in the palate. Team me... Read More »

Feb 9, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – Views from the Rotaractors, part 1

Chittagong, Bangladesh

While participating on a Rotaplast mission in India, Rotary District 5130 Governor Erin Dunn thought this would be a great experience for Rotaractors. She got the support of clubs to fund four volunteers f... Read More »

Feb 9, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – Physical therapy for Shiru

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Shiru, five days after her surgery I first heard about Shiru from Paula, the nurse manager of the Bothin Burn Center in San Francisco, after she returned from a Rotaplast trip. Paula worked in the recovery... Read More »

Feb 10, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – One big day

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Three of our patients for tomorrow Tomorrow is our last day of surgeries; the mission has gone by so quickly. We have a full schedule of children who will have their cleft lips repaired. They range in age ... Read More »

Feb 11, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – Views from the Rotaractors, part 2

Chittagong, Bangladesh

As the Medical Records member of the Rotaplast mission, I have very busy times, such as pre-clinic and the start of each surgery day, but I also have some free time each day. With my free time I like to Read More »

Feb 11, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – Our final day of surgeries

Chittagong, Bangladesh

We’re finishing strongly today on our seventh and final day of surgeries with a full schedule of children with cleft lips. It’s an exciting day as parents that have been waiting for months or years for... Read More »

Feb 11, 2016

Chittagong, Bangladesh 2016 – Farewell from Chittagong

Chittagong, Bangladesh

There were hugs, handshakes and cameras – or more correctly, cell phones acting as cameras – for our closing clinic this morning. Patients got one last check from our medical team and some fres... Read More »

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