What You Need To Know About Volunteering With Us
I joined to honor mentors who taught me that skill means little if it isn’t shared. Malawi’s need for complex maxillofacial care—and the chance to work shoulder-to-shoulder with local surgeons—made it an easy yes.
I expected scarce resources; I didn’t expect such deep ingenuity and teamwork. The reality was tougher logistically—and far more rewarding—than any briefing could capture.
A patient saw their face after tumor resection and whispered, “Now I can meet my students again.” That quiet relief said more than any thank-you ever could.
Excision and reconstruction of facial tumors, trauma management, ankylosis release, and related pathology—paired with bedside teaching for residents and nurses.
Late-presenting pathology made cases longer and reconstructions more complex. We navigated limited imaging, finite instrument sets, and the need to prioritize OR time wisely.
We standardized trays, pre-planned instrument rotations, and built “go kits” for critical steps. When equipment differed, we adapted techniques rather than forcing tools to fit habits.
Inspirational. They’re skilled, resilient, and deeply invested in patients. Our best outcomes came from listening first and aligning with established local workflows.
Family presence and communal consent were more visible. Moments of prayer and gratitude reminded me that healing is cultural as much as it is clinical.
Talent is universal—access isn’t. Sustainable impact comes from capacity-building: training, systems, supply chains, and long-term partnerships.
I can do more with less—and “less” often means listening better, not just working harder. Teaching in real time energized me more than I expected.
Absolutely. I’m more intentional about resource stewardship, clearer in patient communication, and more committed to team training and cross-disciplinary drills.
A young teacher with an expansive jaw tumor avoided photos for years. After resection and reconstruction, she ate her first solid meal without pain and asked for a picture with the team—smiling.
Clinicians are exceptionally capable; the gap is mainly infrastructure and supplies. Support that strengthens training, equipment maintenance, and reliable consumables has a multiplier effect.
Humbling—because every success was shared by patients, families, local teams, and volunteers, reminding me how small any one of us is, and how powerful we are together.