Spring 2008 Biayin, China
Each time Dr. Hobbs travels to China he has noticed how much the country as a whole has changed economically. Their transition into the twenty-first century has been amazing. This trip was the first time that Dr. Hobbs was able to call home via skype. The team members were able to see and hear their families 12 time zones away.
Baiyin is a large city located in the province of Gansu, north central China. The famous Yellow River flows through the city as a beautiful clear waterway, not yellow as in its name. Farms and orchards line the river banks providing much produce.
North of the city is a national park called the Yellow River Stone Forest that features fascinating natural stone column formations.
The stories of changed lives through cleft lip and palate surgeries are amazing and unique to each patient. This trip managed to impact 136 patients with 176 procedures. The children are often too young to appreciate the result of the surgery but the parents are overjoyed! It is not uncommon to see a parent or grandparent express deep gratitude. Parents all over the world want the best for their children but cannot always find it. Fortunately, these parents found the corrective surgery their children needed. It was a pleasure to meet the families and help the children.
The following video is a small picture of what took place on the trip to Baiyin.
