Rotoplast
Programs Report for January 6, 2017

Former District Governor Roger Schulte who is the District 5300 leader for the 2017 Rotoplast Mission to Lima, Peru showed us how 90 minutes can forever change the life of a child with cleft lip or palette. The pictures in his presentation from his past mission to Retalhuleu, Guatemala were worth a thousand words as we saw how these children and their families were suffering from this birth defect. Lips turned inside out with teeth sticking out in all directions showed how cleft palette and lip can effect a child’s ability to swallow, nurse as an infant, hear and speak.

Roger explained how Rotary has been conducting these missions for over 24 years, visiting 26 countries and serving over 17,000 children. Over a two- week period a team of 25, including medical and non-medical volunteers serve in capacities from registration, medical assessment, supply chain, pre and post op to photo journalist work with the local Rotary clubs in these countries to serve as many children as possible. Some people travel up to 14 hours just to get to the location of the Rotoplast project in hopes of receiving this life-changing operation.

Each Rotoplast can cost over $90,000 which are mainly funded thru individual donations. Money is the most crucial thing needed to continue these missions. If you would like to donate or are interested in volunteering go to the Rotoplast website at www.rotoplast.org.