A
group of half awake Rotarians met at YVR - Vancouver airport at 5:00 AM
on October 26, 2008 to start our journey to Chengde, China. Each one of
us had our one suit case stuffed with two weeks clothing and teddy
bears. The second piece of luggage is a box of medical equipment and
supplies needed on the mission. It is assigned to us and loaded in San
Francisco. Each medical and non medical volunteers checks one box of
supplies.
After clearing US customs we are on our way to San
Francisco to meet the rest of the team. In SF we meet our team and onto
United airlines flight bound for Beijing. A few old acquaintance from
past Rotaplast missions renew their friendship. We are then off filled
with excitement and for those of us who are new to Rotaplast
uncertainty. Most importantly we know there are children waiting for us
and we have an opportunity to make a difference.
************************
The last pictures have come from Chengde, China where club members
Magdalen Leung, Elaine Luk, Jackie Lau, Gail Maida and Dave Rogers have been assisting with cleft palate surgery for 100 children.
PDG Chris Offer has created a blog to record the mission. Go to the blog to read about the mission.
www.RotaplastChina.blogspot.com.
Zhao Ming Yuan before & after surgery
The
final clinic was held today. There were 15 children still on the ward
and about 35 children and teens showed up for the clinic. Those that
lived more than four hours away were told to only come if there were
complications.
It was truly wonderful to see the children that
had surgery earlier in the week. Even with some swelling still evident
the remarkable change in the appearance of the children with cleft lips
was gratifying. The change was not as dramatic for children with cleft
palates but the change in their lives, personal comfort, health and
psychological well being is significant.
Small gifts were handed
out by some children and parents to the volunteers. One parent brought
a box of apples from their own small plot and apologised that that was
all they had to give. Hand written notes were posted on the wall by a
few of the teens.
The last packing of the equipment was
completed. The volunteers spread out across Chengde for the final
opportunity to buy souvenirs. Tonight is the farewell dinner.
With
mixed emotions we will leave Chengde tomorrow. We have made many new
friends at Chengde North Hospital. We have also changed the lives of
the children and teens. For the Rotarians it has truly been an
opportunity for Service Above Self. For the non Rotarians on the team
they too have put Service Above Self.
Applause
and cheers were heard today as the last child operated on during this
mission was wheeled out of the recovery room. Hugs and hand shakes were
exchanged between team members and Chengde North Hospital staff. The
two teams learned to work together and became friends with a shared
goal to ensure the best possible treatment for the children.
The
Rotaplast team started to pack up, do inventory and complete the final
records. The fifteen children operated on today will be checked during
the evening by a surgeon and a paediatrician. Tomorrow (Saturday) is
the post mission clinic. The majority of the children and their parents
will return for a final check-up and advice to ensure a successful
recovery. On Sunday the team starts their long journey home or for a
few sightseeing in China.
During the week 175 children and teens
were examined, 122 were operated on and 214 different procedures were
performed. Every operati
on was free.
A
legacy was left to the community of children who are healthier
physically and mentally, because their cleft lip and/or palate have
been corrected. A gift was left with the medical staff at the Chengde
hospital of the opportunity to work with a gifted group of surgeons,
anaesthetists and nurses. The American, Canadian and New Zealand
Rotaplast medical team in exchange learned from the Chinese medical
staff. The exchange of learning and the changed lives of the
children is the sustainable endowment of this mission.
Smiles
on the children's faces were the only reward the volunteers wanted. The
bonus was the many thank yous from parents and the children.
