As our final trip of 2025 concludes, we find ourselves reflecting with tremendous gratitude. The saying “it takes a village” couldn’t be more true for CSI. We remain deeply grateful for our village – the amazing volunteers, partners, donors and hosts – working to improve healthcare access for children. In Ethiopia, our interpreters play a crucial role on every trip – assisting our doctors and nurses in speaking with families and also helping to ensure that clinical training and technical details can be conveyed to colleagues in the operating room and at the bedside. CSI is fortunate to have a team of dedicated partners who have been providing this essential service with skill and compassion for nearly a decade. Together we are changing lives.
The momentum continued on Day 4 of surgeries, with residents performing full cases under the guidance of Dr. Kassaw and our team. This is the ripple effect: skills shared → skills multiplied → increased access to surgical care for children.
Morning rounds and three quick cases are on deck for tomorrow before the team heads to the airport.
Huge thanks to our volunteers, partners, and local colleagues who have given everything during this incredible week of training.
From the roof of the medical school, our team shares a day-three surgery recap — and a look at the impact you make possible. Your support fuels training and collaboration that will transform access to care for children in Ethiopia.
Warm up with a cup that makes a difference. CSI has partnered with Stone Creek Coffee, a Milwaukee-based, B Corp–certified roaster, for a private-label coffee fundraiser that ships direct to your door. CSI earns $5 for every 12-oz bag sold!
Shop CSI’s exclusive coffee by visiting bit.ly/CSICoffee **You must enter CSI2025 in the discount code box at checkout, in order for your purchase to be counted toward the fundraiser.**
Open now through February 14 and makes a perfect holiday gift!
Help us maximize our impact — share this fundraiser with your family, friends, and colleagues!
Day 1 of surgeries was a success! Hear from CSI volunteer surgeons Dr. Luke Jakubowski (right) and Dr. Tyler Schwartz (left) and ENT Fellow Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw (middle) as they share a quick recap.
The bottom inset photo is of a baby girl Dr. Schwartz met during Saturday's prescreening. At just 1 month old, she has a cleft lip and palate and was struggling to gain weight. When Dr. Schwartz shared his concern, Dr. Kassaw smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I can give her a specialty bottle from CSI.” Our volunteers and partners went the extra mile, purchasing a supply of formula to support her nutrition. While she wasn’t ready for surgery this trip, she’s on track for a safe repair soon thanks to this early intervention.
Read more about the fellowship teaching and collaboration happening in Ethiopia this week! --- Notes from the field from CSI volunteer surgeon Dr. Luke Jakubowski:
Hello from Ethiopia!. This trip is extra special as it’s our second "fellowship trip." Unlike our typical large surgical campaigns, this smaller team is focusing on high-level education, complex head and neck masses, revisions, and other complex orofacial clefts.
Screening was demanding, with a higher than usual number of patients. We screened 58 kids and now have 27 life-changing procedures scheduled for the week. Working alongside Kassaw Ketemaw and his six fantastic ENT residents, we evaluated patients while simultaneously providing hands-on education. This photo captures the essence of why we are here.
We met a sweet 3-year-old girl, Mekides, with a facial mass that has been growing since birth. She traveled four hours with her mom to see us. The list of possible causes for such a mass is long, so we used this moment to provide care for her while teaching the ENT residents. Using a simple flashlight, we demonstrated "transillumination." As you can see in the picture, the mass lit up, confirming our suspected diagnosis of a macrocystic lymphatic malformation. It was the perfect opportunity to discuss diagnosis and management strategies right in the clinic. Mekides is getting further imaging this week and will undergo either surgery or sclerotherapy. More teaching to come!
Our CSI volunteers and partners just wrapped up a successful screening day in Bahir Dar!
🎥 Watch the video to learn more from CSI volunteer surgeon Dr. Luke Jakubowski and ENT Fellow Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw and see what's in store for the week ahead.
As our final trip of 2025 concludes, we find ourselves reflecting with tremendous gratitude. The saying “it takes a village” couldn’t be more true for CSI. We remain deeply grateful for our village – the amazing volunteers, partners, donors and hosts – working to improve healthcare access for children. In Ethiopia, our interpreters play a crucial role on every trip – assisting our doctors and nurses in speaking with families and also helping to ensure that clinical training and technical details can be conveyed to colleagues in the operating room and at the bedside. CSI is fortunate to have a team of dedicated partners who have been providing this essential service with skill and compassion for nearly a decade. Together we are changing lives.
#nonprofit #ittakesavillage #GlobalHealth #gratitude #changinglivestogether ... See MoreSee Less
A tremendous week of life-changing surgeries and the learning and collaboration that accompanied them. Thank you to everyone who has made this second fellowship trip a success and to our partners at College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia., Bahir Dar university Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital Information Center, and logistics support from Taitu Tour and Travel Ethiopia.
Watch the recap, and if you'd like to support CSI with a year-end gift you go to childrenssurgeryintl.org/donate — your donation fuels our work in 2026.
Our volunteers are now en route home!
#nonprofit #pediatricsurgery #GlobalHealth #MedicalEducation #donatetoday ... See MoreSee Less
The momentum continued on Day 4 of surgeries, with residents performing full cases under the guidance of Dr. Kassaw and our team. This is the ripple effect: skills shared → skills multiplied → increased access to surgical care for children.
Morning rounds and three quick cases are on deck for tomorrow before the team heads to the airport.
Huge thanks to our volunteers, partners, and local colleagues who have given everything during this incredible week of training.
Watch the recap!
#pediatricsurgery #Ethiopia #GlobalHealth #nonprofit #AccessToCare
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.
Tyler Schwartz Kassaw Ketemaw ... See MoreSee Less
From the roof of the medical school, our team shares a day-three surgery recap — and a look at the impact you make possible. Your support fuels training and collaboration that will transform access to care for children in Ethiopia.
A special thanks to Dr. Bekalu Wubshet, CEO of The College of Medicine and Health Sciences and Bahir Dar university Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital Information Center for the tremendous partnership and support over the past ten years!
#pediatricsurgery #GlobalHealth #AccessToCare #nonprofit #Ethiopia
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. ... See MoreSee Less
Warm up with a cup that makes a difference. CSI has partnered with Stone Creek Coffee, a Milwaukee-based, B Corp–certified roaster, for a private-label coffee fundraiser that ships direct to your door. CSI earns $5 for every 12-oz bag sold!
Shop CSI’s exclusive coffee by visiting bit.ly/CSICoffee
**You must enter CSI2025 in the discount code box at checkout, in order for your purchase to be counted toward the fundraiser.**
Open now through February 14 and makes a perfect holiday gift!
Help us maximize our impact — share this fundraiser with your family, friends, and colleagues!
#coffeelovers #nonprofit #holidaygiftideas ... See MoreSee Less
Our surgeons and colleagues share a recap of the second day of specialized surgeries, collaboration, and training in Bahir Dar.
Keep up the great work, team!
#GlobalHealth #pediatricsurgery #nonprofit #Ethiopia
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. ... See MoreSee Less
Day 1 of surgeries was a success! Hear from CSI volunteer surgeons Dr. Luke Jakubowski (right) and Dr. Tyler Schwartz (left) and ENT Fellow Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw (middle) as they share a quick recap.
The bottom inset photo is of a baby girl Dr. Schwartz met during Saturday's prescreening. At just 1 month old, she has a cleft lip and palate and was struggling to gain weight. When Dr. Schwartz shared his concern, Dr. Kassaw smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I can give her a specialty bottle from CSI.” Our volunteers and partners went the extra mile, purchasing a supply of formula to support her nutrition. While she wasn’t ready for surgery this trip, she’s on track for a safe repair soon thanks to this early intervention.
#PediatricSurgery #GlobalHealth #Ethiopia #nonprofit #cleftstrong
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. ... See MoreSee Less
Read more about the fellowship teaching and collaboration happening in Ethiopia this week!
--- Notes from the field from CSI volunteer surgeon Dr. Luke Jakubowski:
Hello from Ethiopia!. This trip is extra special as it’s our second "fellowship trip." Unlike our typical large surgical campaigns, this smaller team is focusing on high-level education, complex head and neck masses, revisions, and other complex orofacial clefts.
Screening was demanding, with a higher than usual number of patients. We screened 58 kids and now have 27 life-changing procedures scheduled for the week. Working alongside Kassaw Ketemaw and his six fantastic ENT residents, we evaluated patients while simultaneously providing hands-on education. This photo captures the essence of why we are here.
We met a sweet 3-year-old girl, Mekides, with a facial mass that has been growing since birth. She traveled four hours with her mom to see us. The list of possible causes for such a mass is long, so we used this moment to provide care for her while teaching the ENT residents. Using a simple flashlight, we demonstrated "transillumination." As you can see in the picture, the mass lit up, confirming our suspected diagnosis of a macrocystic lymphatic malformation. It was the perfect opportunity to discuss diagnosis and management strategies right in the clinic. Mekides is getting further imaging this week and will undergo either surgery or sclerotherapy. More teaching to come!
We are incredibly grateful to be part of this wonderful teaching environment. A massive thank you to our amazing hosts at Bahir Dar university Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital Information Center and their staff. We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. Kassaw and College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. for welcoming us back. It’s an absolute honor to collaborate and learn alongside you all.
Our team is so happy to be back in Bahir Dar with our partners. Thank you for the warm welcome. We look forward to a great week together—and many more cups of coffee!
#PediatricSurgery #GlobalHealth #collaboration #childrenshealth ... See MoreSee Less
Our CSI volunteers and partners just wrapped up a successful screening day in Bahir Dar!
🎥 Watch the video to learn more from CSI volunteer surgeon Dr. Luke Jakubowski and ENT Fellow Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw and see what's in store for the week ahead.
Great work, team!
#PediatricSurgery #globalhealth #collaboration #childrenshealth
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. ... See MoreSee Less