Last day at the hospital

This week has gone by way too fast. I just had my last day working in the hospital. I cannot convey the immense gratitude that I feel for having been able to go on this trip. It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of such a wonderful program. Since they started going almost thirty years ago, they have performed over 4,000 surgeries!

Yesterday I was interpreting for a woman whose son needed orthodontic care because of a cleft palete. After, she started to tear up. She said that she was overwhelmed with gratitude for the doctors and this program. She said that she and her husband were one of the over 30% of Peruvians who were out of work, and that this program was a God send. I could tell countless stories about each of these kids, like Renato, who has gotten the highest grades in his class every year he has been in school, but was born with a facial deformity which affects half of his face. Or Deysi, a sweet quiet little girl, with a tough home life, who was so brave all the way through her surgery. These kids; their lives, are incredible.

I am going to miss these kids so much. man, if holding post-op peruvian cleft palate babies was a job, I´d be a happy woman.

Well, I get to spend a lovely 21 hours on a bus tonight (and tomorrow). But, in the end I get picked up by my lovely traveling companions and we will be united once more! Next, on to Cuzco!The double operating roomRight outside the hospital in El Augustin-- people live in houses like this all across the hillside