How did our volunteers sum up their week in Ethiopia?
Long days. Powerful teaching. Life-changing care. Moments like these — captured in this reel.
A major achievement: ENT fellow Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw and other College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. colleagues assisted in performing two ear reconstructions for the first time — 8+ hour, highly complex surgeries — under the guidance of Dr. Siva Chinnadurai.
CSI volunteer surgeons Dr. Siva Chinnadurai and Dr. Phil Chaffin are joined by our Ethiopian colleagues—ENT Fellow Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw and senior residents Dr. Adugnaw, Dr. Getaw, and Dr. Yibeltal—reflecting on a week defined by partnership, skill building, and progress.
Together, CSI and our partners provided 41 life-changing pediatric surgeries at no cost to families—27 ENT and 14 urology.
Watch the video to hear their words and witness what collaboration makes possible.
Seven-month-old Liyunesh underwent a lip repair and facial skin tag removal today.
Reaching this moment took perseverance—her family traveled nearly 12 hours from their village, and her surgery was initially delayed due to a medical concern. Her parents were deeply relieved and grateful that Liyunesh could safely receive care.
In a handwritten note, Liyunesh’s mother shared that when her daughter was born with facial malformations, their village shunned the family, believing her condition was caused by wrongdoing by the parents.
This care meant more than surgery. It meant dignity, acceptance, and hope. She thanked Dr. Phil Chaffin for giving her daughter what she called a “golden chance.”
Help CSI finish strong! ☕️ Our fundraiser with Stone Creek Coffee closes on Saturday, 2/14. Simply by ordering our exclusive-label coffee, you'll be helping increase access to life-changing pediat...
ENT fellow Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw and CSI Academic Director Dr. Siva Chinnadurai completed an 8-hour total ear reconstruction—a first for Dr. Kassaw.
The surgery was a success, and because of it, this patient can now live free from stigma. This is what training, partnership, and collaboration make possible.
Congratulations, team! In total, 8 patients received surgery today from our volunteers and partners.
More to come in the two remaining days of this surgical training trip.
The man in the dark gray scrubs is Eskinder, one of our longtime Taitu Tour and Travel Ethiopia interpreters. After years of helping families and CSI volunteers communicate with one another, today was the first time he witnessed a surgery.
Eskinder was deeply moved by the experience and our volunteers were happy to have him in the OR.
Today, 10 children—ranging in age from just 3 months to 8 years—received free, life-changing surgery as our partners and volunteers worked side by side.
Some healing journeys take more than one surgery.
CSI medical records volunteer MaryJo Wagner shared an especially meaningful moment from the day—seeing Bezawit again.
“I first met Bezawit when she was just 6 months old, a fortunate add-on to our surgery schedule on my very first mission to Ethiopia in 2023. Her mother traveled more than six hours—by foot and by car—and patiently waited in the hospital for four days, hoping for a cancellation. As luck would have it, there was one. Today, Bezawit had her third successful surgery, and I couldn’t be happier for her.”
CSI is honored to be a MARCO Promos Difference Maker and to receive this $1,000 in-kind contribution!Congratulations to Children's Surgery International for being this week’s Difference Maker winner! They will receive $1000 worth of promo products to help promote their worthy cause!
Check in the comments to learn more about them! #MARCODifferenceMakers ... See MoreSee Less
1 week ago
Yesterday, 80 patients were screened and 45 are scheduled for surgery in the week ahead. CSI Medical Records volunteer, Mary Jo Wagner shares that screening day holds both joy and difficult reality. Moments like 9-month-old Tadlo, smiling and giggling through his screening. Or seeing Biruk again — returning for his fourth surgery, greeting our team alongside his best friend.
And then there are the hardest moments: babies who arrive too undernourished for surgery, and the painful conversations that require families to wait.
But there is real hope. Because of years of training and partnership with College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia., fewer young children now need us for ENT care. CSI’s first fellow, Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw, and his local team are providing that care themselves.
As CSI Academic Director Dr. Siva Chinnadurai reflected: “[We are] now celebrating our first fellow nearing graduation. Ten years ago, Dr. Kassaw was a student in the back of a packed room on CSI’s first trip, watching his first cleft lip surgery and quietly deciding his path. Last year, he performed over 120 independent cleft operations. Now he’s teaching the next generation and helping build the systems that will sustain this work.”
How did our volunteers sum up their week in Ethiopia?
Long days. Powerful teaching. Life-changing care.
Moments like these — captured in this reel.
A major achievement: ENT fellow Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw and other College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. colleagues assisted in performing two ear reconstructions for the first time — 8+ hour, highly complex surgeries — under the guidance of Dr. Siva Chinnadurai.
Congratulations to all involved.
#pediatricsurgery #cleftstrong #Ethiopia #changinglives #GlobalHealth
Taitu Tour and Travel Ethiopia ... See MoreSee Less
CSI volunteer surgeons Dr. Siva Chinnadurai and Dr. Phil Chaffin are joined by our Ethiopian colleagues—ENT Fellow Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw and senior residents Dr. Adugnaw, Dr. Getaw, and Dr. Yibeltal—reflecting on a week defined by partnership, skill building, and progress.
Together, CSI and our partners provided 41 life-changing pediatric surgeries at no cost to families—27 ENT and 14 urology.
Watch the video to hear their words and witness what collaboration makes possible.
#Ethiopia #GlobalHealth #pediatricsurgery #nonprofit
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. ... See MoreSee Less
Seven-month-old Liyunesh underwent a lip repair and facial skin tag removal today.
Reaching this moment took perseverance—her family traveled nearly 12 hours from their village, and her surgery was initially delayed due to a medical concern. Her parents were deeply relieved and grateful that Liyunesh could safely receive care.
In a handwritten note, Liyunesh’s mother shared that when her daughter was born with facial malformations, their village shunned the family, believing her condition was caused by wrongdoing by the parents.
This care meant more than surgery. It meant dignity, acceptance, and hope. She thanked Dr. Phil Chaffin for giving her daughter what she called a “golden chance.”
Great work, team!
#nonprofit #cleftstrong #pediatricsurgery #GlobalHealth #AccessToCare ... See MoreSee Less
A shared smile, curious eyes, a moment of play at the hospital. 💛
These are some of the beautiful children our volunteers have met in Bahir Dar.
Every child deserves a future shaped by health, dignity, and opportunity.
#nonprofit #pediatricsurgery #GlobalHealth #Ethiopia #changinglives ... See MoreSee Less
Learn More
Children's Surgery International
childrenssurgeryintl.org
Help CSI finish strong! ☕️ Our fundraiser with Stone Creek Coffee closes on Saturday, 2/14. Simply by ordering our exclusive-label coffee, you'll be helping increase access to life-changing pediat...Today marked a milestone.
ENT fellow Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw and CSI Academic Director Dr. Siva Chinnadurai completed an 8-hour total ear reconstruction—a first for Dr. Kassaw.
The surgery was a success, and because of it, this patient can now live free from stigma. This is what training, partnership, and collaboration make possible.
Congratulations, team! In total, 8 patients received surgery today from our volunteers and partners.
More to come in the two remaining days of this surgical training trip.
#pediatricsurgery #globalwarming #earreconstruction #Ethiopia #changinglives
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. ... See MoreSee Less
Day 2 of surgeries has ended!
The man in the dark gray scrubs is Eskinder, one of our longtime Taitu Tour and Travel Ethiopia interpreters. After years of helping families and CSI volunteers communicate with one another, today was the first time he witnessed a surgery.
Eskinder was deeply moved by the experience and our volunteers were happy to have him in the OR.
#pediatricsurgery #nonprofit #Ethiopia #childhealth #AccessToCare ... See MoreSee Less
Today, 10 children—ranging in age from just 3 months to 8 years—received free, life-changing surgery as our partners and volunteers worked side by side.
Some healing journeys take more than one surgery.
CSI medical records volunteer MaryJo Wagner shared an especially meaningful moment from the day—seeing Bezawit again.
“I first met Bezawit when she was just 6 months old, a fortunate add-on to our surgery schedule on my very first mission to Ethiopia in 2023. Her mother traveled more than six hours—by foot and by car—and patiently waited in the hospital for four days, hoping for a cancellation. As luck would have it, there was one. Today, Bezawit had her third successful surgery, and I couldn’t be happier for her.”
Great work today, team!
#nonprofit #globalhealth #pediatricsurgery #cleftstrong
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. ... See MoreSee Less
CSI is honored to be a MARCO Promos Difference Maker and to receive this $1,000 in-kind contribution!Congratulations to Children's Surgery International for being this week’s Difference Maker winner!
They will receive $1000 worth of promo products to help promote their worthy cause!
Check in the comments to learn more about them!
#MARCODifferenceMakers ... See MoreSee Less
Yesterday, 80 patients were screened and 45 are scheduled for surgery in the week ahead. CSI Medical Records volunteer, Mary Jo Wagner shares that screening day holds both joy and difficult reality. Moments like 9-month-old Tadlo, smiling and giggling through his screening. Or seeing Biruk again — returning for his fourth surgery, greeting our team alongside his best friend.
And then there are the hardest moments: babies who arrive too undernourished for surgery, and the painful conversations that require families to wait.
But there is real hope. Because of years of training and partnership with College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia., fewer young children now need us for ENT care. CSI’s first fellow, Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw, and his local team are providing that care themselves.
As CSI Academic Director Dr. Siva Chinnadurai reflected: “[We are] now celebrating our first fellow nearing graduation. Ten years ago, Dr. Kassaw was a student in the back of a packed room on CSI’s first trip, watching his first cleft lip surgery and quietly deciding his path. Last year, he performed over 120 independent cleft operations. Now he’s teaching the next generation and helping build the systems that will sustain this work.”
#pediatricsurgery #globalhealth #ethiopia #childrenshealth #cleftstrong ... See MoreSee Less