Donation protected
Next January, I am so honored to be back with Team Taylor, on a 10 day volunteer medical mission. I will serve my role as a medical interpreter to help those in need.
operationrainbow.org is a non profit medical organization that travels to poor areas of Latin countries and conducts orthopedic surgeries, mostly on children.
We will be bringing and paying for all the supplies and our expenses, and a total of $1,500 per volunteer is required. Having to pay for that amount and on top having to take 10 unpaid days off of work is a financial burden, but, in the big picture, a small amount to pay when compared to how much good the team will do.
Last year's experience was a totally life changing one to me, and I really hope to keep going back with my team, year after year.
I could share a million stories of the beautiful people we helped, but, I am just going to dedicate this mission, to a very brave young man, who I will always carry in my heart, and whose story touched me the most.
Donald, a 17 year old, was the first boy I saw from the hospital window. He was waiting in the street when Dr. Merriman and I got to our clinic room.
He had been in a bad motorcycle accident a year ago. His family had to wait 40 days to collect the money in order for him to have a surgery! A plate was installed for his leg fracture, but after a while his leg got very infected and it had to be removed. The family once again had to ask friends for money. The external hardware he needed cost $700 dollars, but, since his poor dad didn't have the money necessary to remove it afterwards (he still owes the money from the previous surgeries), Donald had to spend 6 months wearing the exterior hardware. Such a sweet, handsome, smart young man! He asked me if I could stay with him for the 30 minutes before surgery and while they removed the hardware and I happily did. I witnessed his surgery, a new plate and screws were installed and I promised I would be with him when he woke up. The doctors, nurses and super awesome physical therapist, did magic on him. The second photo shown is him being discharged, and says it all about Operation Rainbow.
I'm so excited to get back to Guatemala to help many more like him. Thanks so much for helping me get there and follow my heart's call.
operationrainbow.org is a non profit medical organization that travels to poor areas of Latin countries and conducts orthopedic surgeries, mostly on children.
We will be bringing and paying for all the supplies and our expenses, and a total of $1,500 per volunteer is required. Having to pay for that amount and on top having to take 10 unpaid days off of work is a financial burden, but, in the big picture, a small amount to pay when compared to how much good the team will do.
Last year's experience was a totally life changing one to me, and I really hope to keep going back with my team, year after year.
I could share a million stories of the beautiful people we helped, but, I am just going to dedicate this mission, to a very brave young man, who I will always carry in my heart, and whose story touched me the most.
Donald, a 17 year old, was the first boy I saw from the hospital window. He was waiting in the street when Dr. Merriman and I got to our clinic room.
He had been in a bad motorcycle accident a year ago. His family had to wait 40 days to collect the money in order for him to have a surgery! A plate was installed for his leg fracture, but after a while his leg got very infected and it had to be removed. The family once again had to ask friends for money. The external hardware he needed cost $700 dollars, but, since his poor dad didn't have the money necessary to remove it afterwards (he still owes the money from the previous surgeries), Donald had to spend 6 months wearing the exterior hardware. Such a sweet, handsome, smart young man! He asked me if I could stay with him for the 30 minutes before surgery and while they removed the hardware and I happily did. I witnessed his surgery, a new plate and screws were installed and I promised I would be with him when he woke up. The doctors, nurses and super awesome physical therapist, did magic on him. The second photo shown is him being discharged, and says it all about Operation Rainbow.
I'm so excited to get back to Guatemala to help many more like him. Thanks so much for helping me get there and follow my heart's call.
Organizer
Lorena Pena
Organizer
Walnut Creek, CA