Recently I took a pause and went off the grid for a week.  I had the opportunity to accompany a brigade of doctors and nurses from One World Surgery, (www.oneworldsurgery.org), on a medical mission trip to Honduras.  One World Surgery is dedicated to providing world class surgical and primary care to underserved communities, as well as empowering volunteers to make a positive impact on global health. They have a fully functioning Honduran staff that leads the surgery center and serves patients on a daily bases, volunteers provide additional surgery and specialty support, personnel support and education.  I attended as a general volunteer.

I left early Saturday morning and flew into Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras and had transportation to the NPH, (Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos), Rancho Santa Fe.  The surgicenter is on the ranch, along with a lovely posada for the helpers to call home for the week.   We arrived to a beautiful, green and tropical oasis in the woods.  The ranch has over 300 boys and girls, going to school, and living in a loving and safe family environment.  The farm, on the ranch, has dairy cows and pigs.  Cheese is made on-site along with tortillas and bread.  The garden also boasts vegetables and fruit trees to provide the children well-balanced and nutritional meals.

One World Surgery Center is an ambulatory surgical center located on  the NPH ranch. It has a clinic, OR rooms, pre-op areas and post-op areas.  Hondurans from all over the country come to see the doctors and nurses.  Our brigade consisted of 32 surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, nurses and  general volunteers.  During the course of 5 days our group performed 59 surgeries and saw 166 patients in the clinic.  It was very awe inspiring to watch volunteers who have not worked side by side before, come together to enrich the lives of other people for the better.  In the words of Mother Teresa, "Not all of us can do great thing. But we can do small things with great love"

I arrived back home 8 days later, bursting with inspiration, enlightenment and a much deeper appreciation for the simple things in my life.  Volunteers are the heartbeat of the organization.  To give your time, talent and treasures, knowing that your gifts will transform lives is truly amazing.  In the words of Gandhi,  "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others"

Please visit my website www.shoptammy.com and check out my latest bracelet designs. They are freshwater pearls, Honduran wooden crosses, beads and sterling silver charms of Our Lady of Suyapa.  She is the Honduras' Virgin Mary and their most popular religious image.  A portion of the proceeds will go to One World Surgery.  It's all about giving back and igniting the spirt of service, now go light your World!

XO

Tammy