Volcán Tungurahua spews steam and ash on an otherwise clear day with Ambato, Ecuador in the foreground on February 13, 2004. The volcano was considered semidormant until 1998 and caused evacuation of the nearby town of Baños in 2000. Smog, ash and clouds have kept the volcano obscured from sight from Ambato in recent years.

Dr. Henry Vascones uses a window to examine a patient's x-rays at Hospital Regional in Ambato.

Dr. Erica Schosser tries feeding a premature baby born with digestive problems, and without hands during an initial exam at Hospital Regional in Ambato, Ecuador, Monday, February 9, 2004. Dr. Schosser spent a week of her vacation in Ecuador volunteering her services with Medical Mission Ecuador.

Rubber gloves are cleaned then hung to air dry before reuse at Hospital Regional in Ambato, Ecuador, February 11, 2004.

Elena Durango, was born with a clef pallate. Dr. Henry Váscones, second from right and other doctors discuss treatment options during the screening, Monday February 9, 2004.

Quito, Ecuador has preserved it's centuries-old colonial center. An elevated view of a downtown street contrasts the narrow streets and colonial style with the newer and slightly less dense new city in the background.

Juliana Poaquizo, carries a young Jose Poalazin in the traditional Quecha way, while babysitting for a working mom, as visiting doctors from the United States and the nearby city of Ambato, Ecuador give children check-ups. AKTXP "BLANKET BABY"

Dr. Robert Dempsey stopped on the way to lunch and visited patient Nellie Martinez, age 7, and went over her x-rays Monday, February 9th, 2004 at Hospital Regional. Dempsey has previously operated on Martinez's legs.

Homes of indigenous inhabitants of Illegua Chico, west of Ambato, February 12, 2004. Newer homes, left are now made of cinder block rather than the former adobe type walls. Fields are planted down the hill from the homes.

Galo Arturo Haro Guevara, left has his head injury examined by Dr. Richard Siegel, second from left, Dr. Chris Merek, and Dr. Robert Dempsey before his surgery at Hospital Regional on February 11, 2004.

Dr. Henry Vascones scubs in with makeshift plastic bags for shoe covers before a surgery at Hospital Regional in Ambato, Ecuador on February 13, 2004.

Erik Espin, an infant born with a clef lip is a candidate for an operation at Hospital Regional in Ambato, Ecuador on February 11, 2004. Plastic surgeons will repair the child's lip and nose, closing the sinus cavity off from the mouth.

Erik Espin, and mother, Rosio Castro get a vist by Dr. Henry Vascones during his morning rounds at Hospital Regional on February 13, 2004. Two days after Dr. Váscones closed Espin's lips and nostril, the baby was recovering well.

Dr. Henry Vascones speaks to patients in the recovery room after a long day of surgeries at Hospital Regional on February 12, 2004.