Venezuela Neurosurgery: FINAL Project Update
Valencia, Venezuela - This report features summative details about the South American Initiative project that provided Neurosurgery for drug-resistant epileptic children in Venezuela.
For Children Suffering Daily Epileptic Seizures
In 2019 SAI launched a campaign to provide desperately need neurosurgery to children suffering from severe epileptic seizures every day.
The project included an implant device known as the Vagus Nerve Stimulator that sends mild electrical stimulation to the brain when it detects the neurological symptoms of an impending epileptic seizure.
SAI provided the surgical facility, paid for anesthesia, and the costs for the surgeons, nurses, and additional medical supplies.
Two Children Received Life-Changing Surgeries
Two life-changing neurosurgeries were successfully performed. The first was for one young girl and the second for a young boy. These two children are now living normal lives without constant and unpredictable episodes of grand mal seizures - also known as generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Their parents expressed tremendous gratitude and joy that their children were selected for the surgery. Both families have written letters describing how their kid's lives have drastically changed for the better now that they can live without the constant fear of epileptic seizures. The little girl was having 7-10 seizures a day. Now she has none.
Families Amazed with Generosity of SAI
Neither family could afford to pay for the necessary tests just to see if their children were viable candidates for the neurosurgery. When they discovered their children had been approved for the surgery, they were amazed at the generosity of SAI for providing such an expensive surgery at no cost to them.
The 2019 project was made possible through generous support from SAI donors.
You Can Help Us Do Even More in 2020
If you would like to know more about how SAI is helping desperate people in Venezuela, please take a look at the amazing projects SAI is leading to help orphan children, hospital patients, and abandoned animals in Venezuela.
With your support, we can continue to save the lives of the most vulnerable and innocent during this time of political and economic crisis in Venezuela. Click on the link below to see more details about our general hospital campaign: Let’s Give A Helping Hand to Venezuela.
Silent Victims of Venezuela Crisis
Caracas, Venezuela - When people can not afford to feed themselves and their children, the first major decision they are faced with is, “How are we going to feed our dog?” The answer to that question is easy: “Our kids and family come first.”
How Pets are Abandoned
Rather than watch their pets starve, they choose to abandon them in the streets. They simply drive 5-10 km from home, and then open the car door, let the pet out, and then quickly drive away. This is the typical way dogs are abandoned in Venezuela.
South American Initiative & GlobalGiving to the Rescue
The best humanitarian action for these abandoned stray pets is to rescue them from the streets, nurse them back to health, give them vaccinations, regular feedings, lots of love, and attention.
SAI Abandoned Pet Protocol
After all that is achieved, the next best move for each dog is to be adopted by a vetted, loving, responsible family. Thanks to our generous donors, this is the exact protocol SAI follows when rescuing abandoned dogs in Venezuela.
SAI takes it one step further by spaying or neutering the dogs when they are healthy enough to handle the surgery. With over 3 million stray dogs roaming the streets of Venezuela, it is important that we spray or neuter all of the animals.
Besides food, these rescue animals are given rabies, distemper & parvo vaccinations, as well as a deworming treatment, and a fast-acting oral flea treatment.
At SAI we do all this for our rescued dogs. It gives each dog an opportunity to be adopted by a loving, caring family.
We Need Your Help to Continue to Rescue Abandoned Pets
For the past few months we have provided food and medical supplies to the following:
Note: This is a correction from the GlobalGiving report from August 27, 2019: The correct numbers for each month are as follows for abandoned pets that received care.: May: 120; June:174; July: 174; August: 172.
We started this GlobalGiving project with a goal of $20,000. So far, we have received just under 5% of our goal.
New Animal Shelter For 200 More Dogs
SAI is building a new animal shelter that will be able to accommodate up to 200 more dogs at one facility. This facility will include a spacious yard for the dogs to run and play. It will include clean drinking water, a medical examination and surgery room, individual places for each dog to sleep, and a consistent supply of pet meds, toys, and nutritious food.
Help Us Rescue More Dogs!
If you love animals like we love these dogs, please help us rescue more abandoned animals with your donations. It can be a little as $8 or as much a $500; whatever amount you are able to give.
With your support, we will continue to take care of these abandoned animals and find responsible families to adopt them.
Please continue to help us rescue abandoned dogs by donating today! Thank you!
This report reflects the generous donations from GlobalGiving, A&G Animal Assistance Fund, and SAI donors.
Who Feeds Orphans When The Parents Have Gone?
Valencia, Venezuela - South American Initiative has a team of volunteers and staff - in the country - that see first hand how the current political and economic crisis affects the most vulnerable victims: abandoned children.
SAI Feeds the Children When the Parents are Gone
With help from generous GlobalGiving donors like you, SAI feeds the children when the parents are gone. Our mission is to help people in their deepest time of need and the people who need help the most right now are young children in orphanages.
In the past three months - with help from GlobalGiving donors - SAI has provided the following:
SAI Delivers Food & Medicine to Four Orphanages
South American Initiative currently supports four different orphanages in Venezuela. We provide bi-weekly fresh food deliveries and medicines for these abandoned children.
When we make our deliveries the children’s eyes light up because they know there will be no shortage of food today thanks to SAI donors and volunteers.
These Abandoned Kids are Starting to Flourish
Take a look at the photos of the orphan children in this report. As you can see, they look happy, healthy, clean, and well cared for. This is possible because people like you have been gracious in sharing and giving their time and money to provide for these abandoned kids. Without your help, many would perish while others might become easy prey for predators trafficking children as sex slaves.
Stomach problems from drinking contaminated water
Our medical team has advised us that 60% of children under the age of five have gastrointestinal problems from drinking contaminated water. To solve this problem SAI is working to provide clean drinking water by installing commercial-grade water filtration systems at each of our orphanages.
Help Us Buy a Water Filtration System To Supply Clean Drinking Water
These water filtration systems are expensive, but they can solve many medical problems and save more money than they cost in doctor visits and medications. This water filtration system cost just under $2,200. After that, the only expense is replacing the water filters.
Help Us Complete This Project!
We started this project with a goal to raise $20,000. Right now we are at $5,348. We are just over 25% of the way there and need an additional $14,652 to complete our goal. As a GlobalGiving donor, we ask that you continue to help these orphan children. Your donations make living in Venezuela as an orphan a little brighter! Donate today! Thank You!
This project reflects generous donations made from GlobalGiving and SAI donors.
