KALIBO NOW

Hi there, we arrived safely today in Kalibo with the other members of the team too from Manila. Everyone rendezvous at La Esperanza Hotel and rest/relax for a while. Some went to the hospital to bring the UI boxes and other stuff. We are all excited to start the mission since we heard that the OR of the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital is BRANDNEW. We saw the set up at the screening room have already prepared and thanks to the committee from the Rotary. People are aniticipating our needs and that is nice. Tomorrow, we are ready to unpack our boxes and prepare the OR in the morning, then group orientation will follow in the afternoon. To all who have joined the first work week in Iloilo, thank you guys for the opportunity to be of service to you all... it's been a fun week for all of us. Hope you all arrived safely in your destination. Cheers and goodluck on the team for the 2nd work week. Thank you to all who have been so wonderful in welcoming our guests from UI. It's a whole total new world for us in Kalibo after an exhausting week in Iloilo... but we had a treat of the best freshly cooked Lapu Lapu at the fish farm and a taste of St. San Miguel tonight after the long hour trip hehehe It was nice meeting you all guys and looking forward to meet you all again next mission. Happy trip to those who are leaving for home and to those who are staying, GOODLUCK! We will make sure we make your stay and the mission successful as usual. Megs/Outreach

The END...In ILOILO February 21, 2009

There are only 6 0f 38 team members left here. As we finished everything yesterday it was a mass exodus to Manila, Hong Kong and Kalibo today. I know one thing for sure...I will be hard pressed NOT to go again next year...I will find a way! This has been the most rewarding experience I have ever had. To go to a foreign country is one thing, but to become intimately involved with individuals on a personal basis is another.The faces, the expressions, the touching...one does not need to know the language, you know what they are saying without saying one word! I have a photo and 2 videos to send. Am not sure if the videos will go, but I'll find out. Sorry, but the blogger would not take the ideos... Take care and I'll see you in Denver... Don Wollenzien, Volunteer Blogger

A Visit to Guimaras…February 20, 2009

We took a Catamaran from ILOILO to the municipality of Jordan on Guimaras to see the finished water project. The children of Mary Immaculate School now have clean purified water. Bob Garcia explained how they drilled for the water over 500 feet deep wherein the water flowed freely. With the pump bringing the water to the purification facility through an ultraviolet water sterilizer and then into two large stainless tanks, it is then ready for drinking. Don Wollenzien, volunteer blogger.

Have a Waffle Dog…February 19, 2009

Mangos are either in season, or perhaps the season is year round? I haven't found the answer, but they are REALLY great here..juice for breakfast and sliced mangos for lunch. Then there are Cream-O's, with chocolate or vanilla filling, however they're not the "double stuffed" Oreos that we're used to. I haven't seen the Colonel but we have Chickenjoy here which is juicy-licious and crispy-licious. And of course rice. You need to ask for fried rice, as steamed rice is the norm. I did see garlic rice this AM for breakfast. Also, many variations of rice cakes. One item for breakfast that I do like is corned beef. Usually there are beans at breakfast. But the winner is the Waffle Dog! What a kick to have a hot dog encased inside a waffle. I did try one, however I didn't opt for seconds. Elizabeth thought they were SUPER! Don Wollenzien, volunteer blogger.

Working with the local anesthesia residents - Feb 18, 2009

Today was another successful day with Uplift. In addition to our surgical procedures, Dr. Jacob and I spent some time with the local anesthesia residents. Dr. Jacob gave a lecture about difficult airway management in anesthesia, and we also had a demonstration of how to use the fiberoptic scope - which is an anesthesia tool that the hospital had recently purchased but none of the residents were familiar with how to use it. It was a rewarding experience sharing some of our knowledge with our colleagues across the globe. -Ramon Abola, Anesthesia Resident

UPLIFT SUCCESS STORIES February 18, 2009

RICA JOY GARCIA is a 13-year old valedictorian of her school. Uplift saw her last year in Antique for a cleft lip repair. As you will notice, the surgery was very successful. She looks beautiful! She returns this year to have a cleft palate repair. Lots of people give her compliments on how great she looks and it just boosts her self-esteem. This lovely young lady has so much to look forward to. We are so happy that Uplift has been able to contribute to her bright future. Contributed by Debbie Denkler, Malia Larson and Elizabeth Robertson

UPLIFT SUCCESS STORIES February 18, 2009

MORAWIE CONDES (pictured) is a handsome 19-year old who is taking college IT classes. In order to attend college he is currently living with a foster family. Morawie comes from a family of 11 children, ranging in age from 1-22. His surgery yesterday was to repair his palate and included a pharyngeal flap. This procedure is to help with speech. Our speech team (Linda Roller and Theresa Snelling) worked with him this morning and there was already a difference in his speech! He is very motivated and will start practicing speech strategies in two weeks. As his picture shows, it is just one day after surgery and he is feeling great! He is very excited about the results and hopes his future will include many girlfriends! Contributed by Theresa Snelling, Debbie Denkler, Malia Larson and Elizabeth Robertson

A visit to the Operating Rooms…February 17 2009

Mind you I am no Surgeon, Anesthesiologist, or Surgical Nurse…I'm just the blogger! What a phenomenal experience to see the patient Rae Marie Trinidad, a 4 year old girl who had a cleft palate and cleft lip surgically removed. The entire operation took nearly 3 hours to perform. Thank goodness Debra Johnson (Surgeon), Ramon Abola and Zvi Jacob (Anethesiologists) and last but certainly not the least Diane Rafferty and Patti Janes (Surgical Nurses) performed yet another life changing event for Rae! She will be eternally grateful, as will I just to witness the above professionals flawlessly accomplish their expertise! As long as I was "sterile" dressed I also visited Uplift's ward. I sure was not too impressed for the patients and their families as it seemed unbearably warm, even with fans running. Don Wollenzien, volunteer blogger.

An interview with radio station AKSYON (Action) 720 Khz on your AM dial…

This interview occurred on Feb 15 2009. Head of Mission Jaime Yrastorza, Surgeon David Charles, Perioperative Nurse Olivia Kerveillant, Speech Therapist Theresa Snelling and Outreach Filipino Megs Lunn took part in explaining our Mission here in ILOILO in the repair of Cleft Palates and Cleft Lips. In the process they also invited anyone who might be interested in going through the screening process to come to the Western Visayas Medical Center in ILOILO. Don Wollenzien, volunteer blogger.

The process begins…February 16, 2009

We're off and "running"! The order of the day was the Philippine Flag Raising. Every Monday there is a Flag Raising ceremony starting at 8:15 A.M. No work is accomplished until that ceremony is finished. I checked with Jaime and the purpose is to bring a sense of community and nationalism to the Philippine nation. As Jaime noted there are over 7,000 islands in the Philippines with some 87 dialects among the varied residents. The only problem the TAGHOY team had was that we couldn't begin our screening until around 9:00 A.M. The hospital staff all took part, as you might see in the photos. Thankfully we had spent a great amount of time on Sunday getting things set up. 9 stations were set up in two rooms. Registration, Vital Signs, Pediatrics, Anesthesia, Surgery, Dentistry, Speech-Audio, Photos and Scheduling. To give you an idea of the age range, one mother was nursing an infant who will have surgery tomorrow and another man will have surgery on Thursday who has had Cleft problems since he was born 45 years ago. There were several grade school aged children as well as several teenagers. It is difficult to comprehend what it might be like to live with such deformities over extensive periods of time. For some reason or another there are still some 15 to 20 more yet to be screened tomorrow, if they show up. Some 4 patients had surgery this afternoon. We have two operating rooms, with two operating tables in each room.

GREAT DAY!

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Central Iloilo City headed by DG Emma Nava and District Sec. Bill dela Fuente for the great dinner last nite...Also to PDG Toto Cua Locsin and spouse Arlene for the lunch earlier during the day. We are ever thankful too to Pres. Richard and his team members for being here at the screening day and just around all the time whenever we need anything.....likewise to the local Doctors are always helpful....Mabuhay! Will post more pics later, we are just in the middle of our screening day and then surgery is now going on for at least 5 children.... It's fun here and the children are a wonderful sight of hope! Cheers! Megs

We are ready to roll. February 15, 2009

It has been somewhat of a chaotic day. Some 15 of our group went to the Western Visayas Medical Center this morning to unpack and sort all of the boxes and equipment that were shipped from Denver. Also included were the boxes that were left here from last years Mission. However, with all involved, the task was accomplished in a little over 2 hours. All of the equipment was checked and is functioning properly. After lunch we were given a tour of the facility, by the Filipino medical team, which will be our "home" for the next 6 days. Jaime Yrastorza then presented a Power Point Presentation to our group including the principal medical team of the hospital staff. We had an excellent dinner at The Mango Tree Restaurant hosted by Bob Garcia who has been a most gracious philanthropic contributor of Uplift Internationale. We were scheduled to have the dinner outdoors under a canopy draped mango tree, however just before we arrived it began pouring rain. Thus we were served in a separate dining room.