Today we traveled through rain, sleet and snow to Gyumri where we visited a Medical Clinic, Children’s Hospital , a kindergarten and orphanage.  The highlight of the day was sharing time with 119 orphans under the age of 7  of which about 20% required some type of corrective surgery. 

Precious children in kindergarten

The Austrian Children’s Hospital was built about ten years ago to serve the needs of the local region. Many specialists are not available in this area  including Plastic Reconstructive surgeons. 

Ruthann sharing thoughts with one of the babies

The city of Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia was the epicenter of the 1988 earthquake.  The devastation is still visible everywhere. The needs are  extensive.

The hospitality of our local hosts was heartwarming, as were the smiles of the children we met today. 

Its evident to us that there is a need for surgical care.  We are meeting with several other doctors tommorrow to review the need

Suzie Germenian and child with facial clefting

Iris and Steve Lazarian