Operation Rainbow Australia Limited     July 2007

Thank you to all our loyal friends and supporters.  Rainbow has had another satisfying and eventful year.  The 2006 Annual Mission to General Miguel Malvar Hospital in Quezon City, Philippines resulted in 80 children receiving corrective surgery for cleft deformities.  104 operations were performed with some children having both the lip and the palate repaired.  Many children returned from the 2005 mission to have their palate repaired.

Last December 7, 2006 the "Kaanib ng Bayan" Presidential Award was conferred on Operation Rainbow Australia Limited.  In conferring this award the President of the Philippines recognised the enduring work and continued commitment to bring smiles to poor and unfortunate children in the Philippines through the gift of reconstructive surgery. 

In June-July this year Operation Rainbow assisted the W.A. Surgical Mission/Tanzania with much needed surgical equipment that has been purchased by Rainbow over the years.  It was a wonderful mission held in Mwanza situated on the shores of Lake Victoria.  The hospital is now being run by the Catholic nuns.  Times are really bad over there but the children are just as wonderful. 

Surgical missions to overseas countries require the best equipment as we only get one chance to help the children who are presented for surgery.  The Rainbow Board of Directors voted to allow this equipment to be used so that money is not wasted on duplicating what we already have in Rainbow.  More missions with more Doctors and Nurses can be sent to carry on this wonderful rewarding work and I am sure all Rainbow members will agree with this decision.

I think that in this unsettled world we should all strive to help those less fortunate than us.  We do indeed live in a Lucky Country.

By supporting the work of Rainbow each year you have helped improve the health and lifestyle of underprivileged children and their family in the Philippines or in Tanzania.  Please continue with your generosity and good work in 2007-2008.  Please help Rainbow by renewing your membership.  Every dollar helps.

To all our Sponsors a big thank you for your generosity in supporting these surgical missions. Without your support these miracles for children would be very difficult to finance. On behalf of each and every patient both in the Philippines and Tanzania, I thank you most sincerely.

The next Mission leaves for Manila on September 22 2007 for a week-long mission.  There are 60 children registered to date already. 

Kindest regards to all, 

Thank you for your support last year and I do hope that you can help these children again in 2007.

Wilma Dunne OAM
President Operation Rainbow Australia.