high-school student volunteers headed to guatemala for mission work

Mending Kids deployed to Guatemala City and provided 85 children with general ears, nose and throat procedures. Mending Kids Lead Surgeon Dr. Namrata Varma, led the 21 person team consisting of 11 medical volunteers; surgeons, surgical technicians, anesthesiologists and nurses along with10 High School student volunteers from MUSE High-School in Calabasas .

The MUSE student volunteers helped out with paperwork, passed out stuffed animals to patients, helped ease the children's nerves before and after surgery,  painted the exterior and bathroom of Prince of Peace Girls Group Home and Orphanage, and helped pack our loaned medical equipment. The students seemed to really immerse themselves into their mission work. Many photos were taken with them hugging and cuddling with the patients and their siblings.

Within the Moore Medical Center, they had the chance to interact with local volunteers their age. These bilingual Guatemalan volunteers served the purpose of translating in the screening clinic, pre-op, and post-op. This was an opportunity for the MUSE students  to connect with their peers, and find commonalities between the two cultures.

It seemed obvious that it was a truly life-changing experience for both patients and teens. 

(Pictured top left, Selly with sibling of patient, top right Xai with patient Kristen, 7 years)