On July 8th, 4 year old Bea Mamalias and her mother Marianita arrived on Oahu.  Three days later, 4 year old Christian Jay Catadman and his mother Merlyn arrived.  They both traveled from their homes near Davao City, Philippines.

Both children were born with an encephalocele, a protrusion of the brain bulging through a frontal cranial fissure.

On July 13th and 14th, Tripler Army Medical Center and Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.com) Medical Staff Volunteers successfully removed the encephaloceles from the two children.  They are currently staying on Oahu for follow-up with minor post-operative problems.  They will soon return to the Big Island to continue their Integrative Healing Program in the lush gardens of Kukuihaele.