Humanitarian aid trumped international politics recently when 101 Venezuelan children had their cleft palates and lips corrected by Rotaplast International Inc., a nonprofit organization offering free corrective palate surgery to children worldwide.

"We served the 101 children and young adults even though President Hugo Chavez specifically called us imperialists who are trying to destabilize his country," said Karen Bradford, of Mira Loma, who served as the photojournalist for the trip.

More than $65,000 for the mission was raised by Rotary District 5330, which is bounded by western Riverside County, Temecula, Big Bear and Indio. Funds were raised over 1 ½ year period through events such as a chili cook-off at French Valley Airport, and a grant from the Rotary Foundation that matched $12,000 in district funds. The volunteers pay their own expenses.

Although Chavez criticized Rotaplast, Bradford said the 15 members of the medical team and 11 volunteers from Rotary Clubs were thrilled when the Chavez government sent a C-130 plane to pick them up. It saved a 6 ½ hour-long bus journey through the mountains from Caracas to Cumaná, where six 12-hour days of surgery lay ahead for them June 1-12.

Throughout the 11-day period in Venezuela, the group was warned not to go anywhere without escorts because of rampant kidnappings and robberies, Bradford said.

Their hotel was surrounded with chain-link and razor wire, and security guards manned the beach.

Hoping to be Chosen

Awaiting them in a quiet line were 198 patients and their families. Sometimes, 20 or more family members accompany the patients.

The surgery team selects children who have the best promise of one day looking normal. One reason children aren't chosen is ill health. Bradford said one 9-year-old girl was as small as a 3-year-old, and her health was compromised.

Children who don't have the opportunity for surgery are often rejected by society for their looks, some sent out to be shepherds, away from people, Bradford said.

One young woman, Gladys, told her that she tried for a job at a bakery, and though the owner told her she was obviously smarter than the workers he had, he told her to come back when her face was fixed. She waited four years for surgery, had three surgeries and went back to the bakery.

"When he offered her a job, she said, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' " since the possibilities in her life were improved, Bradford said.

"She wasn't bitter. She said she needed someone to tell her the truth."

Another patient was 20 year-old Justo Vasquez, who had had 15 operations in the hope that his dream of becoming a bank administrator would come true.

Forever Changed

Pharmacist Milton Levinson, of Palm Springs, worked in the recovery room following the surgeries and said his life is forever changed by the experience of seeing people who have nothing bringing their children and grandchildren for help.

Some children go around with bags over their heads so other children will not see their deformity and throw rocks at them, Levinson said.

One grandmother came in to sit by her granddaughter following her surgery, but when she looked at the girl, she didn't recognize her and denied it was her granddaughter. Levinson rechecked the chart and told her it was her granddaughter, and the woman broke down and cried.

"And so did I," Levinson said.

Rotaplast does work in the United States but because prenatal vitamins are taken by American women, you don't see much cleft palate deformity in this country, he said.

Lack of folic acid is a major reason the deformity occurs, Levinson said.

Mickie Evans, of Temecula, and the Murrieta Rotary served as trip coordinator to Venezuela. It was her third Rotaplast trip.

During her first two trips to Peru, she kept the medical records. This time, she served as quartermaster, dealing with customs and making sure all the supplies got to the doctors and nurses.

But she did get to add a personal touch. A terrified young woman had brought in her baby for surgery and Evans held the woman in her arms while she cried as her baby was being taken to surgery.

"I usually don't get to see this up close, and I don't speak much Spanish, but I got to hold her and everyone understands being held. That's what it is all about," she said.

Rotaplast International Inc. has served more than 10,000 children worldwide since it was founded in 1993.

Circle City Rotary located in Corona, CA is celebrating its 20th year of Service above self.