Traveling for a surgical mission trip is always and adventure, and this trip was no exception. It was wonderful to be able to share the experience with Sarah and Deb, who are both seasoned travelers. This was Sarah’s and my third trip to Kijabe and Deb’s first to Kenya, though she has volunteered for cleft lip and palate surgical trips in Vietnam and Ecuador in the past. We’ve attached several photos from our trip, and are very grateful for all the prayers and good wishes for our patients, our travels and our families.

Leaving on jet plane…

Dr. Vessely, Sarah and Deb with Rift Valley behind us. At 8,000 feet

Evening walk home, view is fantastic after being cooped up all day in the OR.

Mom wanted a photo with Dr. Vessely and her baby, postop

Mom looking at her baby, post lip repair.

Mom and post op child

Dr. V in OR

Sarah in OR, perfectly color coordinated as always!

Sarah scrubbed in a case

Deb putting her 30 years of OR experience to a great purpose!

Preop bilateral cleft lip and palate, 11 year old from a refugee camp

2 days post op bilateral cleft lip and palate repair, drinking a cup of porridge!

sunset over Rift Valley on our walk home from the hospital

2017 team!
How heart warming and inspiring to see these photos. You gals are heroes!
All my admiration,
Margie Watt
Thank you so much for your support and kind words Margie! We always feel that we receive more than we give.