It is all about the kid!! Their lives and the lives of their parents and family members have been changed forever because of the amazing service the Surgicorps team provided at the Beit CURE Children’s Hospital.
My husband, Dave, is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and I am a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner. We were privileged to be members of the September 2022 Zambia team. Upon being accepted to join the team, we immediately began to prepare for our trip. Uncertainty, nervousness, excitement, and even some fear were all part of our emotions of what to expect upon arriving in Zambia. All those worries went out the door after seeing the smiles on the children’s faces and the humility and graciousness expressed from the parents on Screening Sunday.
All this wouldn’t be possible without the amazing leadership of Surgicorps. Starting from the top, Jack Demos, who is the foundation for the team. DeNese Olson, coordinator, united and motivated each team member. Her daily quotes were a true inspiration. Michael Best and Lori Ellis were invaluable resources in this new environment for many of us.
Each of the twenty Surgicorps team members as well as hospital staff demonstrated patience, kindness, flexibility, compassion, expertise, and most importantly love and respect for one another and the patients.
Dave and I hoped to make a difference in the lives of the children we served. In reality, they made a difference in our lives. Truly a Life Changing Experience! Our rewards were seen in the surgical outcomes and smiles of the children, parents, and staffs faces that were impacted in one short week.
Our prayer and hope is that with this short-term mission trip to Zambia, the Surgicorps International Team has made a long-term impact on the lives of those we served.
Quotes from Mother Teresa:
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
Thank you,
Judy and Dave Kelley