Surgery for Guatemalans with Cleft Lip and Palate

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!