An e-mail from Peru confirmed for Ken Funk that it doesn’t take much to change a life.

The Abbotsford businessman was on his first mission with Rotaplast International three years ago. The organization provides free reconstructive surgery to those with cleft palate and related anomalies in developing countries.

A 15-year-old girl with a cleft palate (an opening in the roof of the mouth) was told by the team of volunteer medical professionals in La Oroya, Peru that she did not qualify for surgery. She had lived with her condition for so long that to repair it would further affect her speech.

Funk saw the girl and her mom become hysterical when the teen was turned down.

He and a Rotaplast colleague from Boston made arrangements for a plastic surgeon in Lima to do the work. Funk paid the doctor the approximate $280 for the procedure, as well as the minimal transportation costs to and from the hospital.

About a month later, Funk received an e-mail from the doctor with a picture of the girl, displaying her repaired palate. The surgeon said the operation had gone well. Even better, the girl had returned to school.

“That said it all: ‘Now she’s in school.’ Her appearance hadn’t changed and she won’t speak properly ... but now she had self-confidence,” Funk said.

Even though the girl’s surgery wasn’t covered by Rotaplast, the experience illustrated the power of the work the organization does. He has since been on seven other Rotaplast missions to places such as Venezuela, the Philippines and India, and is currently a missions director.

The children receiving the surgery grow up in a climate of ridicule and shame. They often don’t go to school, and there is no understanding of the genetic and environmental issues that might contribute to their condition.

“They don’t know what causes it. They think they’re being punished,” Funk said.

After surgery, everything changes.

“You just know this child has a chance at life. Why shouldn’t every child have that chance?”

Each mission involves an average of 120 surgeries, mostly performed on children. There are usually around 16 or 17 medical professionals from all over the world who volunteer their time on each trip. Another 10 or so non-medical volunteers assist with details such as patient transport, photography, record keeping, and sterilizing equipment.

Funk is a member of the Rotary Club of Abbotsford, which last year raised the funds to support an entire Rotaplast mission to Cebu, Philippines. It costs about $75,000 for each mission.

This year, the club – along with the Abbotsford-Sumas Rotary Club – is supporting another trip to Cebu from Sept. 20 to Oct. 4. Funk is not going on that trip, but will head one to China on Oct. 11.

Meanwhile, a fundraiser for the Cebu trip takes place Friday, Sept. 11. Funk stars in the play Love Letters, with Barbara Harris. Appetizers and a dessert buffet are included. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn and Conference Centre, 36035 North Parallel Rd. Tickets are $75 and are available by calling 604-308-6002 or e-mailing ken.funk@shawcable.com.

The production is also supported by Envision Financial.

For more information about Rotaplast International, visit rotaplast.org.