From: Jerry Meshulam <jerrym@sonic.net>
Subject: Rotaplast: Oaxaca blog
To:
Date: Friday, January 9, 2009, 9:22 AM

Dear friends of Rotaplast,

Our Rotaplast team of 15 medical volunteers from around the country and
11 nonmedical volunteers from northern California is heading off to
Oaxaca next Thursday, January 15. I invite you to follow along as
individual lives and families are transformed through the surgical
repairs and compassionate care provided by our team. Bookmark our blog
at: http://rotaplast.typepad.com/missions/oaxaca-2009/. We'll have
stories to tell and pictures to share.

Thank you for your support and caring,
Jerry Meshulam
Photojournalist-Oaxaca '09

About Rotaplast: History

Rotaplast International, Inc. was founded in 1992 by Dr. Angelo Capozzi and the then Rotary Club President Peter Lagarias in collaboration with the Rotary Club of San Francisco to facilitate a surgical program in La Serena, Chile to treat children with the cleft lip and palate anomaly who would otherwise not receive surgical intervention. This initial historic mission took place in January of 1993.

As a project of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, and for the first three years of its existence, Rotaplast completed one surgical mission a year. The following two years, Rotaplast completed two missions a year. In 1996, Rotaplast became a separate non-profit corporation and has since consistently expanded its number of annual missions. In May 2008 Rotaplast sent its 124th mission and to date has served over 10,000 children. 18 countries have hosted Rotaplast teams, including Vietnam, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, El Salvador, Romania, China, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Brazil and the Philippines. Hundreds of medical and non-medical volunteers who give their valuable time, and generous organizations such as hospitals and medical equipment companies which give supplies, account for the consistent success and expansion of Rotaplast missions.

Rotaplast would not exist without funding provided by partners. Although a San Francisco-based organization, Rotaplast works nationally and internationally by partnering with Rotary Clubs, other organizations, and individuals across the United States, Canada and mission sites. It provides a vehicle for medical professionals and non-medical volunteers to actively engage in projects that build international friendships and promote goodwill and understanding among the peoples of the world.

Highlights & Accomplishments