Video from Our 2019 Trip

Mission work has always been a passion of mine, and when I went with COTA this year I instantly fell in love with the Guatemalan people. I feel like I helped make a difference in the community that we visited. The team is incredibly supportive and embraces everyone, and it would be wonderful to go back and be part of a team that's so close knit. 

It’s funny how each one of us volunteers our time to this effort and come together in unity to provide a much needed service to the Guatemalan people. The energy, enthusiasm and professionalism exhibited by the team is unmeasurable.  And if you’ll have me, I’ll return yearly for I’m sure God will provide. God bless each and every one of you.

 COTA changed my life because I did not have prostheses and they in San Juan Sacatepequez asked me what I would do if I had my other leg and I told them everything that other children can do and most importantly walk with two legs. Then they gave me the news that they could give me a leg with a knee and that I could bend my leg with every step I would take, that feeling of seeing two legs in the mirror is incredible and even better that I could walk and run on my own;.This changed my life in an incredible way.

 I came for the experience; I came back for the team. The community is one that consists of people who align themselves together for one week for a purpose greater than themselves, and it is beautiful.

I am a pediatric anesthesiologist and I travelled with COTA this past January and it was an awesome experience. Not only is it a wonderful opportunity to serve Guatemalan patients, it is a very well run trip. The logistics are all coordinated ahead of time, with ample support and supplies for us clinicians. All I really had to think about was taking care of patients and teaching residents. As someone who has travelled on several medical missions before, this team is impressive for its camaraderie and compassion. Absolutely everyone who participated was enthusiastic and ready to help in any way possible.

For years I searched for a way to utilize ALL my skills as an orthopedic surgeon in a humanitarian way. I felt that, if I was going to take time away from my family and practice, I wanted to serve as a fully functioning and supported surgeon. My last seven trips with the efficient, caring, and extremely well organized COTA team has provided me that opportunity and more. I feel truly blessed to work with these people and better the lives of so many less fortunate than myself!