Surgery for Guatemalans with Cleft Lip and Palate

Gregorio's family lives in a humble home that is typical for his village: a single room with a bed for the entire family, a dining table, and an open fire for cooking. Although electricity is sometimes available, the family rarely uses it since it is so expensive and they have so little income.

When Gregorio was born in April 2013, his parents Sonia and Miguel were heartbroken to learn of his cleft lip and palate. They believed that no one would help them because they had no money. The midwife suggested they seek help from Partner for Surgery.

About a week after Gregorio’s birth, his parents scraped together enough money to travel to the Health Center - 6 hours away. Gregorio weighed less than 5 pounds in spite of being almost 19 inches long - he was severely malnourished and at risk of dying. As the midwife had promised, Partner for Surgery and their local partner ACPC stepped in. For the next 18 months, health promoter Juan Gabriel visited their home to deliver supplies, monitor Gregorio’s growth, and support and educate Gregorio’s parents. Juan Gabriel also escorted the family to appointments to ensure that Gregorio received medical care, immunizations, and supplements, and accompanied the family during their surgical journeys. Gregorio’s parents feel truly blessed to have found Partner for Surgery, since their poverty would have prevented them from receiving help otherwise.

Gregorio received cleft lip surgery in November 2013, speech therapy training in August 2014, and cleft palate surgery in November 2014. Today this handsome young man is full of smiles!

Said Gregorio’s grandfather: "Partner for Surgery has not only been a blessing for my grandson, my son and his wife, but for all of us, his family. With your help my grandson's life has been transformed into joy and blessing, compared to the moment of birth when we all felt desperate and did not know what to do. Thank you, thank you very much.”