Baby Alex on surgery day

Alex from Panajachel, Guatemala received his gift of donated surgery and hospital time on June 24th at Central Baptist Hospital. All of the staff were very professional and welcoming as Alex was evaluated, prepped, had his paperwork done and was taken to the OR. Foster mom Kim and I waited together for Dr. Moore to let us know surgery was over, and soon after his surgery, Alex was back in Kim's arms. Hosting a cleft baby is an emotional roller coaster, but Kim handled the "ride" very well. This photo was taken an hour after surgery.

Kimberly, the day before returning to Guatemala

Kimberly was first introduced to COTA blog fans in the header above. The tiny malnourished infant with her cleft lip and palate has come to represent what we do in the stateside program. So many people bonded with this baby on Team 2008..there was something about her determination to live and her Mother's persistence in seeking COTA's assistance that won our hearts.

Kimberly was returned to her mother, Marta, on June 19 by Rosemary Vance, our Executive Director who was traveling to Guatemala on a Team 2009 scouting trip. I will post photos of her return soon, but meanwhile, I know you will enjoy this photo of Kimberly on her last day in Kentucky. Linda and Alan in Danville, KY are to be commended for an excellent job caring for Kimberly during her journey toward health.

Networking with Mayan Families in Panajachel

COTA has really enjoyed assisting Sharon and her staff at Mayan Families . Although we have never met, we share a desire to assist the citizens of the area MF's serves with their health care needs. Angel will soon be joining baby Alex as a temporary resident of Kentucky. He will be flying into Lexington on June 29th in order to have donated surgery for his jaw which has been broken since he was shot three years ago. Long-time COTA foster parents Ed and Teresa from Stanton, KY have graciously agreed to host Angel during his few months of surgical and dental care.

COTA first met Angel in January of this year when he presented to our volunteer medical/surgical/dental team. His surgical repair was too complex for us to attempt in Guatemala and many months of paperwork later, he is due to arrive. Thank you to Carol, a MF supporter, for making the initial contact with COTA last fall. She never gave up trying to network an agency to sponsor Angel.