Fund Nurse to Help Int'l Children Have Surgery

Hello Everyone!

I've been invited to be a volunteer nurse in the West Bank with Operation Rainbow, a nonprofit organization dedicated to performing free orthopedic surgery for indigent children and young adults in developing countries worldwide who do not have access to related medical procedures or equipment.  This will be my 2nd mission with them.

In 2014, we traveled by plane and buses to Cuenca, Ecuador with an incredibly hardworking team of international health care professionals and 50 oversized duffel bags full of medical supplies (and toys).  

We worked 12-14 hour days with breaks just long enough to eat.  Some of our fellow volunteers fell ill so we gave them IV fluids and medication, then sent them back to work!  The post-anesthesia charge nurse on the right kept a close eye on the children coming out from the operating room.

The  children were so sweet and their very concerned families immensely grateful for surgery which they could not afford and which were often not available in their country.  Many families walked for many miles with the hope to be selected for surgery.  Unfortunately, we could not accommodate everyone; we chose the most complicated cases.  However, Operation Rainbow will return!

On September 21, 2017, I'm traveling to the West Bank for 10 days to again volunteer for the lovely children.  I will be using education leave and my vacation time.  However, the cost for airfare and accommodations ($2,050) is not covered by the organization.  I'm hoping to fundraise this money from now through mid-October.

I've been a nurse, working in a variety of specialities, for over 20 years and currently work at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, a large tertiary teaching hospital.  I recently completed my Master's in Science, specializing in Nursing Education to advance my career and the nursing profession to utilize science to benefit patient care.  Though I enjoy nursing with its vast opportunities in the US, my heart and commitment is to working for underserved populations abroad.  Being a nurse is a part of who I am and I feel a duty to share the skills that I have that may be useful to others.  The smiles, joy and appreciation from the children and families are a priceless rewarding return.  Additionally, I feel most fulfilled when learning about new cultures, having new experiences (looking forward to floating in the Dead Sea!) and working alongside steadfast, committed individuals.

I welcome you to watch Manuela's Dream, an example of how Operation Rainbow has positively changed one child's life.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Michelle xx