We're sure we speak for many when we say that it breaks our hearts to see a child suffer. So it feels amazing to know that we can make even just a slight difference by donating clothes and taking part in food drives to help those less fortunate than ourselves. But would you travel to another country to help kids in need of serious medical attention?
That's what model turned photographer Gigi Stoll did. Gigi donates her time to International Surgical Mission Support, a not-for-profit organization committed to providing free medical care for those in need in poor countries and to teach and train local medical professionals. Because of ISMS's missions to such remote locations as Nigeria, Zambia, Nicaragua, and Nepal, those in need of serious medical attention are able to get the proper care and surgeries needed to save them that these poor villages otherwise aren't capable of providing.
For this mission, ISMS director Joan Blanco, the "mother of the world," led Gigi and an ISMS team to Pucallpa, Peru, to work specifically with children. South America has the highest percentage of cleft palettes/lips occurrences in the world—a facial deformity that is life-threatening if left untreated. The Peru team treated many cleft cases, as well as many other serious conditions.
The greatest part about ISMS? The teams are mostly comprised of volunteers, people who pay out of their own pockets to be a part of something so incredible in hopes of positively impacting the lives of those who feel forgotten.
Would you do that?
For more informationon ISMS and how you can help make a difference, visit ismission.org
Check out Gigi's photos from her trip
