Veracruz 2017, Surgery, Day Two

June 12, 2017 Surgery, Day Two – Written and Photography by Natalie deLeon I walked into the hospital and immediately could feel the pressure of change I had felt the day before. I knew today would change my life and I would never see people the same way again....

Veracruz 2017, Triage, Day One

June 11, 2017 Triage, Day One – Written and Photography by Natalie deLeon Walking in to the Albergue DIF area made you feel like you had a purpose in life. The atmosphere was thick with excitement, gratitude, respect, and hopefulness. The hallway looked like it...

El Salvador 2017, Day 1

Travel & Triage San Salvador- After a very long day of travel on Saturday, February 18, 2017, the Austin Smiles team finally made it from Austin to San Salvador, picking up fellow team members along the way in Houston.  Our team of 42 medical and nonmedical...

Guatemala City Mission — Day 4

Some kids come in to the MPSC and they immediately catch your eye. That’s saying something because on the first day in the clinic there are people everywhere. Chairs lined down both sides of the hallway with kids sitting in their parent’s laps. Other families are...

Guatemala City Mission – Day 4

Some kids come in to the MPSC and they immediately catch your eye. That’s saying something because on the first day in the clinic there are people everywhere. Chairs lined down both sides of the hallway with kids sitting in their parent’s laps. Other...

Guatemala City Mission – Day 3

Today you get to meet the team! I am excited to introduce you to some of the people that I have been spending my days with. But before I begin, I would like to brag a little. You could not find a better group to work with. They are friendly, helpful, hardworking, and...