I had been wanting to go on a Surgicorps trip for more than 20 years – and I’m so glad I finally did! Life – kids, work, and all that encompasses get in the way, but you cannot imagine how much it is possible to learn, grow and celebrate in just one week.
The week starts on Sunday with “Screening Day” – hundreds of parents and children who have come from far and wide lined up for the opportunity for their child to receive life-changing surgery. No time to think – you jump right into the busiest day of meeting families and screening patients: no appointments or computerized records, just a surgeon, an occupational therapist and me – with my zero medical experience, a (hopefully) warm smile and an iPad gathering the most basic of information. I quickly learned that the children in our line would most likely be burn victims from the cooking fires that families in rural villages use for everyday life. The surgeon makes a decision for surgery if possible and the family stays at the Beit Cure hospital compound for the duration. Children who aren’t candidates for surgery often stay for cortisone injections and OT also provided by Surgicorps during the week. Sometime after lunch, the surgery slots start to fill up and a waitlist is started. The surgeon I worked with was so kind and recognized many of the families as burns often require multiple surgeries. These are brave kids.
At the end of the day, Surgicorps staff compile the schedule for the week and Monday morning begins a week of surgeries, treatments, and all that entails. There are medical volunteers: surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, medical technicians, occupational therapists and more. There are three theaters with surgeries happening from early morning until late into the evening – the goal to help every child possible. There were hospital staff there to support as well – they are an amazing and committed group.
There are non-medical volunteers there to support medical operations and families – my job was to work with parents and kids in the pre-op area. My head and heart are still swimming with all that I learned and all of the memories. Sitting at a tiny table with children – coloring, blowing bubbles, coaxing them out of their shells and laughing. Playing peek-a-boo with a shy toddler who saw me days later and played the same sweet game. Playing UNO with a young woman who had had four surgeries with skin grafts over the years. Watching as parents sat in a circle making craft bracelets – and welcoming new parents to the group. The days both went quickly and also stretched long – they filled my heart. I thought a lot about how parents were trusting us with their precious children. How they had traveled from home and family in hopes of a life-changing operation. The love, faith and courage this takes is tremendous.
In the evenings, volunteers and staff ride back to the hotel and sometimes collapse into bed, but often share meals and stories.
On the last day, there is a lunch feast with the hospital staff, a walk over to the patient ward where they celebrate us with songs and cake. It feels like it should be the other way around! I’d like one more day to celebrate the brave children and parents who put their trust in us.
My advice is don’t wait 20 years to support this amazing work in any way you can.
