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Through This World But Once

Thursday, March 15,2007 a reception was given in celebration of the works of Photographer Wayne Schoenfeld who on his recent project Through This World But Once: Documentary Photography from Ethiopia where he chronicles the work of a volunteer surgical team treating children with birth defects and facial deformities, Schoenfeld shows how ordinary people can make a difference -

Photographer Wayne Schoenfeld documents the heroic work of Rotaplast International's volunteer medical team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Rotaplast International volunteers travel all over the world performing reconstructive and plastic surgery on children with disfiguring birth defects, burns and other facial deformities.

This is not only a mission of physical healing but also of the soul as Schoenfeld on his last mission to Ethiopia was able to secure the services of Clowns Without Border to assist in the healing process.
"On this Rotaplast mission I didn't see the anguish of interminable and uncertain waiting. Everywhere I looked I saw children and their families laughing as our red nosed clown did his rounds sporting an erect stethoscope and drawing everyone into the show. I know that this effort made an impact and I felt very empowered and less the voyeuristic observer.
He and his team are now working on a training syllabus for clowns on medical missions - a highly specialized and very emotional work -looking for permanent funding to ensure that these smile givers can be a regular part of Rotaplast's international humanitarian projects.


Christopher Harmon Interviews photographer Wayne Schoenfeld on Ethiopia and his newest project, A