We chose this photo of Colombian children and their parents to symbolize all the children and families our medical teams have served. They are waiting for the doors to open on our medical team's first day in Villavicencio, Colombia. Their faces and their numbers say it all. So many children come to us with the same hope and apprehension in their faces; so many families send them to us with the same faith and longing in their hearts. They all share the same extravagant fundamental wish: Please change the world for my child.

We organize and conduct health care team visits to countries that request our assistance. Teams of doctors, dentists and nurses perform on site surgeries free of charge and assess children who require more complex care. Children who need additional services are referred to the stateside program either in our chapter or in one of the other HTC chapters.

Some specialties covered on these trips include plastic and maxillofacial surgery, dental services, ear, nose and throat surgeries, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, pediatric urology and orthopedic services. As many as 75 to100 children may receive surgical services on each trip, while scores of others receive dental services, medical consultations and medications.

The Michigan-Ohio Chapter of Healing the Children has sent numerous medical teams to the Amazon, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Lithuania and Mexico. We are examining the possibilities in Ecuador and Honduras.

Doctors and nurses have told us that participating in a medical trip is the most inspiring and affirming work they have ever done. Giving and receiving becomes a delicate balance, and they believe that what they receive from the experience far outweighs and sacrifice they make in dollars, time or convenience.

Perhaps you will be able to see why as you view our vignette from some of our trips.

Our Oral-Maxillo facial/Soft Tissue teams travel twice a year to Colombia. They visit Villavicencio and Bucaramanga, cities where the need is always very great. Here are some scenes from some of those trips:
Our medical teams that travel to Lithuania are small teaching teams. Since 1993, we have provided specialists in Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Urologic surgery, Retinal Surgery and Hand Surgery. The Lithuanian surgeons are very skilled and motivated but lack technology and training in current procedures. Our goal is to help bring them up to date so that they can treat children with complex disorders in their own country. The doctors and the people of Lithuania are very appreciative of our efforts. Here are some scenes from Lithuania: