Susan Burnett, District 7430 Rotaplast Committee Chairperson and member of the Rotary Club of Bethlehem Morning Star, presented to the club on a Rotaplast mission to Guatemala in 2019.
Rotaplast Internationals moto is "Saving Smiles, Changing Lives" and they have been around for 29 years. They have undertake about 15 missions a year and they have completed over 20,000 surgeries on children to correct cleft lips and palate anomalies. Rotarians can apply to participate in these missions and it will cost the about $1,500 for travel and accommodation. Rotaplast | Saving smiles. Changing lives.
The mission to Guatemala in 2019 lasted 13 days and 26 volunteers participated including 9 Rotarians, and Guatemalan Rotaract translators
Susan Burnett accompanied the 2019 Guatemala mission as the photographer. Her presentation showed how families lined-up overnight to be selected for the surgeries. 220 children were evaluated and over 120 corrective surgeries were performed over 8 days in 3 wards. The surgery equipment used on each patient costs over $10,000 and lasts for only 100 surgeries.
Children who go through surgery during a mission are given a hand made quilt to keep them warm after the surgery. These quilts are made in North America by volunteers and Rotaplast is always looking for more quilt makers. On this trip the mission had some extra funds that were used to replace the worn shoes the children and locals wore, this may be included in future missions.
District 7430 clubs can support Rotaplast missions by donating $500, $1,000 or more to Rotaplast International or by having members volunteer to assist with a mission