Many people have asked about the logistics of bringing a child to the United States from Guatemala for donated care. The process is complex, time consuming and involves legal and pediatric assistance. The paperwork, airline flights with escorts, visa, B2 and foster care paperwork can take 3-4 months. The volunteer COTA board does the work from the U.S. end, but it would not be possible to work our medical miracles if it were not for Aida who has helped us for over 22 years on a voluntary basis in Guatemala.
Aida arranges embassy visits for the children that we bring out. She takes them to the Guatemalan pediatrician who donates medical screening. She meets them at the airport to get them safely on the plane and does the same again when they arrive home after surgery. Aida arranges CAT scans, post-care doctor visits, donations of formula to our cleft babies before they can travel, and most important, she keeps in contact with COTA stateside staff about the care issues involved in our patients. Since the year 2000, she has done this for 87 children who have traveled to the states.
Thank you Aida!
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