Maria, who has been hosted for a year in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, was flown back to Guatemala last week and returned to her mother. It was a tearful and emotional reunion of Juana and her only child.
Juana discovered Children of the Americas in 2006 when she first brought her daughter to our doctors seeking help for Maria's many congenital deformities. For five years Maria had a colostomy which was difficult for Juana to care for and to find supplies to care for. COTA supplied colostomy bags for this family over the last few years, but we were not able to perform the required surgery in Guatemala.
Following a successful year of care, surgery, immunizations, bowel training and dental care, Maria returned to her mother as a healthy little girl. Her foster parents flew her home to Guatemala and were able to relate to her mother the details of Maria's care. Aida, our Guatemalan coordinator, will oversee the details of a successful transition.
COTA is very fortunate to have volunteers committed to the needs of our pediatric surgery patients.
COTA enhances the health and wellbeing of underserved women and children in developing countries through international collaboration.
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Twenty Years of COTA: Perspective and Memories from Warren Brandwine
My first COTA mission to Peten was in January, 2000. We flew up to San Benito in a surplus C-130 with the door held on with ...
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Angel had his oral surgery today. Here are some pictures from the day. This picture is from the day that Angel arrived. From left to right ... -
He was humble and sweet and kind all in one bundle of a handsome young man who didn't know how attractive he really was. At age twenty-... -
It is 2 am and I'm sitting next to a mug of hot coffee that Lauren just made- we are sharing it with the other nurses that wor...
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