Surgery for Guatemalans with Cleft Lip and Palate

Thanks to our generous supporters, from November of 2013 through August of this year, we were able to provide 84 children with surgery to correct cleft lip, and 62 children with surgery to correct cleft palate. Elder was one of those children. Here is his story:

Elder, the youngest of seven brothers, was born on June 12, 2013. His parents brought him to be seen at one of our medical triage missions in January 2014 after learning of the mission via a radio broadcast in their native language, Q´eqchi. Elder’s cleft lip and malnourished state was readily apparent to the medical volunteers, and he was enrolled in the Nutrition program February 18. Elder thrived, and in late April his mother Celia (housewife) and father Francisco (farmer) received the wonderful news that Elder was ready to receive surgery.

Elder received his cleft lip surgery on May 7. Said Elder's father, Francisco:  “We are joyful and thankful to the doctors and ACPC for helping our family…we are now going back to our community and they will witness all the support we have received… I expect my children to have opportunities to attend school so they do not suffer as much as we have. “Gracias y Dios los bendiga (thanks and God bless)”.

You are the reason we can transform the lives of Elder and so many other beautiful children. Thank you!

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Thanks to the generous supporters of Partner for Surgery, over the last three months we have had more than 90 children enrolled in our Infant Nutrition program in preparation for cleft lip and palate surgery! For this report, I'd like to share the story of one of our graduates, Mario.

Mario was born in May 2013 in a tiny Guatemalan village. He lives with his parents and five brothers, and his eldest brother, 12 year old Arturo, attends school. The family lives on about $52 per month that his father earns as a laborer.

Their humble house has neither potable water service nor electricity, so they collect rainwater and use candles or a gas lamp. The closest health care facility is a 2 hour truck ride, but since the truck costs about $4 per person, the family walks for 3 hours to get there. 

Mario was enrolled in Partner for Surgery's Infant Nutrition Program shortly after birth when the local midwife notified PfS of his condition. Our health promoter, Julio Chen, checks in monthly to deliver supplements and measure Mario’s progress. Mario’s parents are extremely grateful to PFS since they cannot afford nutrition supplements and health care on their modest income. "You are a blessing in our lives", Mario’s father says.

After seven months in the nutrition program, Mario received cleft lip surgery in January 2014. He continued to receive supplements until July 2014, when Julio accompanied Mario, his sister and his father to the city of Antigua for his cleft palate surgery. Mario has graduated from the nutrition program. The next step in Mario's journey is speech therapy.

“Thank you for helping my brother and our family, may God bless of you,” says Mario’s eldest brother, Arturo. 

We are committed to helping all of the "Marios". Thank you for helping us to change their lives!