Subject: Philippine Journal - Final issue

Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2009, 5:35 AM

 

By this time the team members are all back home and resuming their normal lives…getting re-acquainted with their families, going back to work and trying to get over the jet-lag.

And the children and young adults they helped in Santiago City, Philippines are beginning to get used to their new looks.  Trying to accept the fact that they’re no longer “different,” and no longer outcasts in their communities.

One of those who has already begun that journey is Katherine Recamara, an 18 year young lady who lives in a village 2 ½ hrs from Santiago City.  Katherine came to the Santiago Isabela General Hospital hoping to have her lip and palate repaired.  Her lip was not a severe cleft but it made her look different enough that her classmates and friends made fun of her.  She also had what we call a fistula, a hole in the  gum above the teeth and a cleft in the roof of her mouth.

Dr. Don LaRossa, plastic surgeon from Pennsylvania, performed surgery on Katherine and changed her life. 

On Friday, at the final clinic when many of the patients returned for one final examination by the doctors, Katherine brought a “Thank You Card” that she had made herself.  What she wrote in the card tells more about what AfS does than any words we can say. 

Here’s what she said…..

Ladies and gentlemen, the new me….Beauty Kathy.  You just can’t imagine how happy I am right now.  Can pronounce clearly, not being teased by anybody…so happy!  Nothing compares my happiness right now because I feel so blessed living a normal life, like normal people in a normal condition…and it all happened because of you…!

 

I will never forget you as kind individuals who gave me this chance to make me the best one…!  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  With love and kisses from my heart we will always pray for you.

 

MANY THANKS

Katherine Recamara.

 

In her card she had pasted a cutout of Katherine before…the shy girl, and Katherine after, the beauty queen.  And she had drawings of a doctor and a nurse with the caption “AMERICANS….MY KIND OF ANGELS.”   

 

She wasn’t just thanking the nurses, doctors and volunteers of Alliance for Smiles, she was thanking Americans.  You can be a part of what we do by contributing to AfS.  The operation is entirely funded by contributions and yours will help more than you know. 

If you are able to help, even just a little, please go to www.allianceforsmiles.org where you can get more information about how and where to send your contribution.

 

fowler