Behind the Scenes: What It Takes to Organize a Surgical Mission Trip

A successful surgical mission doesn’t just happen overnight. Months of careful planning, collaboration, and dedication go into each trip to ensure we can provide life-saving surgeries for children in need.

Organizing a mission trip to Mexicali involves more than just gathering volunteers and supplies — it’s a massive coordination effort that brings together medical professionals, logistics teams, and local communities. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how it all comes together.

Step 1: Identifying the Need

Before a mission can begin, we identify communities where children are in need of cleft lip and palate surgeries. Our team works closely with local health organizations to screen potential patients, ensuring that we can serve those who need it most.

Step 2: Building the Team

Each mission is staffed by a team of volunteer medical professionals, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and support staff. Volunteers donate their time and expertise, many of them returning year after year because of the profound impact they experience.

Step 3: Gathering Supplies

Once the team is assembled, we begin gathering the necessary medical supplies — everything from surgical instruments to sutures and anesthesia. Every piece of equipment is donated or purchased through donations, making it crucial that we budget carefully to stretch every dollar.

Step 4: On the Ground

When the team arrives in Mexicali, it’s all hands on deck. We set up makeshift operating rooms in local hospitals and spend several days performing surgeries, often working long hours to ensure that every child on our list receives care.

Making It All Possible

None of this would be possible without the support of donors and volunteers like you. A mission typically costs around $5,000, covering everything from travel expenses to surgical supplies. With each trip, we provide life-changing care to dozens of children — but we can’t do it without your help.