My experience

My experience in Colombia was profound. It was a rewarding Mission for myself, and I sense it is beyond that for all those for whom we cared. Although I have been a pediatric nurse for 19 years, it was my first participation in a Mission. During this time, I nurtured children as they recovered from surgical repair of facial and oral deformities. Our six long days of care resulted in expressions of admiration, respect, and gratitude. The volunteers of UNIMA made our stay comfortable and assisted the team through the long hours of work. The conscious benefits were heartfelt - smiles, hugs, prayers in Spanish and tears too from the children and adults during the first day of screening and after recovery from the surgical procedures. Thanks to contributions through schools (Lourdes H.S. and class of 2007), work (Vassar Brothers Medical Center), physicians and medical groups, and never to be forgotten the guidance of God and support of family and friends, I was able to participate in this wonderful Mission to Santa Marta, Colombia!

Tamara Faublas-Joseph, RN, MSN

Children are resilient

I think what will stick with me the most from this trip is the resilience of the children. At home, we have a tendency to see images of children in developing countries and think "How sad. Poor children." The amazing thing about kids is that they are so adaptable to whatever situation they are in. They do not have a basis for comparison, when it comes to their economic or social standing. I bet some kids go to the hospital thinking this is a normal part of growing up. The hospital experience was probably harder for the parents who know that this is not normal and are scared. While this trip was not without some upsetting moments (i.e. having to turn families away, children waking up from surgery in tears), overall I was uplifted by their spirits. I only wish I could spend more time with them.

Edwin (above) was born with one leg.
But that didn't stop him from starting a game of chase with me.
I was not only out of breath, but I never did catch him!

Jerson 1 day post-op

Jerson 2 days post-op

Fari before surgery. Kids like him came into the operating room more curious than scared.

Fari leaving the hospital 1 day post-op and carrying his own suitcase.

Luis Gabriel putting Veronica's stethoscope on his own heart before surgery.

Luis Gabriel less than 24 hours after bilateral cleft lip surgery.
And no, this picture is not photoshopped...

All photos ©Annabel Clark 2007

Santa Marta, Colombia September 2007

As much as I like to express in words what I feel is really very hard to do, I wish I have the ability as I've read some of you have, but in very simple words I will try to share what I experienced while in Colombia.I was very amazed to see the effort of each and everyone of the team members to accomplish the task assign. The cooperation between all of us, always trying to help each other and how the team blended from day one. Even with all the negative things happening daily in our jobs and lifes is incredible to see a group of people so optimistic and enthusiastic that would deliver regardless of the circumstances. Thank you so very much for letting me be part of this faboulous team.I truly enjoyed spending all this time with you.Going to Colombia was like going back to my roots, going back to my people and I really felt like a fish in the ocean. I wasn't expecting although to be such a rewarding experience as it was.The trip to Santa Marta showed me what life is really all about: Help and understand people. Love and care for the people and to live life at its full potential. Every little patient and case was a reason enough to be there and everybody had his or her special patient. Like someone described in one of the postings you could basically see their soul throug their eyes.This was my first mission and wish to have many more missions to come because by doing this I beleive we get closer to become better persons and a better world. I will try to post more at another time.

From BYRON FERNANDEZ,M.D.

The Greatest Reward

It has been two weeks since we left Colombia but the memories of the place, patients, and activities remain fresh as if they were still happening today. There seems to be some truth to the commonly-held notion that when one sense is impaired, the others gain sensitivity to compensate for the loss. In Santa Marta, my hearing was impaired in the sense that I could not fully understand the language of the people we had come to help. There was an unexpected blessing in this, as it opened my eyes to look more completely, to truly see both the patients and the team as partners in our work of changing lives.

It is wisely said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. We all revealed such a broad palette of emotions! The hope and anticipation in the families as their children were evaluated. The joy upon acceptance; the pain of those who unfortunately had to be turned away. I saw fire in the eyes of the team members as we struggled with the workload, resilient strength combating fatigue, compassion and respect as we stretched our boundaries to accommodate “just one more child”. The relief and outlet in the comedy of our short moments of downtime. The reflexive sense of gratitude was especially striking. The patients and their families for this gift of hope for their futures that we gave; and the gifts we received in even greater measure as their eyes spoke volumes that made words unnecessary. The elation of comprehending all that we had accomplished; the yearning to do even more. I saw and felt this and so much more in this place of amazing natural beauty and rich culture, a place filled with people of great heart and spirit.

Most of the time, a parent would see his or her child for the first time after surgery in the recovery room. We couldn’t help but shed tears with them – tears of joy, for seeing the almost magical transformation. There was a 24-year-old lady who had a huge growth on her lip. I never saw her smile even once on the screening day. I can only imagine her self-esteem growing up as a teenager having to deal with this physical deformity. When she arrived in the recovery room, I looked at her and her pre-surgical picture for the longest time. I felt pure joy for her. The smile in her face when she looked at the mirror for the first time was priceless.

Selflessness came so naturally from every member of the team, and it was an honor to have served with all of you. My gratitude to you for this experience is without boundary, and I look forward to the opportunities that await us; to improve the lives of our sisters and brothers across the world is truly the greatest reward.

Healing Children in Santa Marta

What has transpired over our week in Santa Marta, Columbia still seems surreal. Emotionally draining, physically exhausting and spiritually lifting. I continue to have episodes of spontaneous blubbering while visions and memories overwhelm me that will continue to be processed long after our plane has landed back in New York. This experience brings me into alignment once again, what is really important in all our lives, being of service to those in need and loving those that are closest to us well enough that there is no doubt about how grateful we are to be in their presence.

Thank you to the women of UNIMA who treated us as though we were their children by keeping us safe, entertained and our bellies full, we were left without any worries or concerns for our well being. I am so very grateful and proud to have been part of this mission and for the opportunity to work in the company of truly wonderful humanitarians brilliant, hardworking, focused, and undaunted. Always with our one goal clearly in sight, the children. The children one after another, we cared for them as if they were our own.

Thank you to Riverside Medical Staff of Dr M. Sarabu Cardiothoracic Surgery for putting up with me during my constant conversation pre and post mission and for the donations made by our team members, for all the hugs, well wishes and prayers that came our way. Most of all thank you to my family for their constant support in my desire to take part in this my first mission. I have been blessed, this much I know, and I choose to do this work because of all of you.

Saying goodbye to Mom at 3 AM!

Together we have accomplished so very much, but to see the smiles of the children and family member’s faces is our greatest reward. For all that, I have said and will continue to speak about, I hope to inspire just one person to join a mission, there is so much, yet to be done, consider me signed up!!!

Chikela Cody thank you for inspiring me.

To be continued…

Leonora C. Gerspach RN CNOR CTOR

last case, last day, last minute!

From Cliff

Let me add my thanks as well to everyone involved in this endeavor. Although I'm still trying to catch up on my work and sleep, the memories ofeverything we did and all that we were able to accomplish makes whatever discomfort we may have very worhwhile. Thanks again for having me along and at times for having to put up with me. Cliff

Cliff Mihail, M.D.

Screening Day 9/23/07

First patients arrive at the hospital for screening

A 1 year old cleft lip patient accompanied by his grandmother

The crowded waiting area

Passing the time counting bottle caps

A local priest of Santa Marta performs a service for families in the waiting area of the hospital

Patiently waiting to be screened

Dr. Abraham examines 1 year old Luis Gabriel, while UNIMA volunteer Lina watches in the background

8 year old Jailenne having a benign tumor examined by Dr. Abraham

Pat plays around with a 1 year old cleft palate patient

7 year old Jerson having his blood pressure checked by Tamara and Byron

Finishing the day on a high note with 8 year old Jeison

All photos ©Annabel Clark 2007