by AfS Photographer Glenn Parry

Day 6, it’s closing clinic day!  This is usually everyone’s favorite day. There’s no more stress or anxiety about surgeries to come. We’ve all gone through many life-changing experiences together, so this final day is usually more an opportunity to celebrate the transformations and connections of the days past, and look ahead to brighter, healthier ones to come!

It’s clearly evident how thankful the patients were for their surgeries through the beautiful letters and gifts they and their families brought for the team. If there was ever any doubt over the impact of these surgeries on patients, families, and communities, the way everyone shows up to say thank you touched all our hearts and reminded us all just how worthwhile this important work is.

To our friends at Fundación El Cielo Para Los Niños de Ecuador,

Thank you for making this possible!