Mending Faces of Colorado

by DR. MONA S. MAGAYANES

The Mending Faces, the volunteer group based in Colorado, USA with the mission to repair cleft lip and cleft palate was in Kalibo on February 10-13, 2014. Composed of 48 members, the group arrived on February 8, 2014. They were welcomed at Kalibo International Airport by Rotary Club of Kalibo (RCK) members, with their transportation provided by the provincial government. 

They did surgery for free on 63 patients at Dr. R.S Tumbukon Memorial Hospital from February 10-13, 2014, a great help for the patients whose families could not afford the plastic surgery, not to mention the fact that there is no plastic surgeon practicing in Aklan. Aside from the corrective surgery, some members of the group also did an outreach activity: a dental hygiene demo and distributed dental hygiene kits to the following schools as coordinated by our club:  Jawili Integrated School, Tangalan; Daja Norte Elementary School, Banga; and Gen. F. Castillo Memorial School, Kalibo.  

As a big gesture of appreciation, RCK and the Aklan Provincial government jointly hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner/Valentine Party for them on Feb. 13, 2014 at Nenette’s Garden.  Dr. David Charles, Mending Faces President,  expressed their appreciation to their local partners, RCK included, who made things run smoothly during their mission. It was a relaxing evening of good food, good fun and good company. It was indeed a blast! With many dancing talents uncovered!

In behalf of RCK, “from the bottom of our hearts, “Thank you, Mending Faces!!”, said Dr. Magayanes. She also express her “endless thanks to the Rotarians  who were at the airport to welcome them, who went with Mending Faces in the outreach activity, who worked behind the scenes in ensuring things run smoothly during their mission, who definitely brightened  our Thanksgiving Dinner/Valentine Party with their presence.”  /MP