April 29th marked the dedication of the newly-completed clinic of one of ICSF’s partner organizations, Fundaccion, a Bolivian charity providing reconstructive surgery to indigent patients. Dr. Williams was asked to address a crowd of approximately 200, including the U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia, David Greenlee, as well as Bolivian officials. Dr. Williams met with Mr. Greenlee before and after the dedication ceremony and discussed ICSF’s involvement in Bolivia. The U.S. embassy subsequently agreed to help ICSF with reduced fare air travel for ICSF personnel and the transportation of medical supplies. Of the meeting, Dr. Williams commented, “As I talked with Ambassador Greenlee, I was impressed with his empathy toward the Bolivian people. He also seemed relieved to learn there was an American organization (ICSF) that was dedicated to helping Bolivia, especially in times of difficult relations between Washington and La Paz.”

The International Children's Surgical Foundation
(ICSF), a Boise-based charity which travels to
developing countries to provide free surgery for
children with cleft lips and other disfigurements, was
recently awarded a $15,000 joint grant from the
American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Smile
Train. Dr. Geoff Williams, president of ICSF, said of
the award: "ICSF was chosen for this award because of
how we operate. We treat these kids in developing
countries with the same amount of time and attention
that American kids get and we train foreign doctors so
that they can take care of their own patients." ICSF
took advantage of the grant money in April by
providing free cleft lip and palate surgery to 30
children at the Hai Phong, Vietnam Children's
Hospital.

In all ICSF missions, local doctors are trained during the performing of the surgeries, with the goal that they will eventually take over the treatment of children residing in their respective countries and provide care at the same standard as that enjoyed by children in the US. A shining example and product of this effort is Dr. Kimani Wanjeri, whom Dr. Williams has been training in three visits per year over the last two years. “Dr. Wanjeri recently reported to me that he is planning on establishing his own cleft palate team in Nairobi”, says Dr. Williams. He adds, “Now Kenyan children will have a well-trained surgeon who will be available to them all year to take care of problems that arise. It is a great feeling to help bring Kimani to this level.” This success story illustrates how there is really no end to the potential that each dollar contributed to ICSF will reach as doctors trained by ICSF begin to treat their own patients and teach their own students.