Support Cleft Nutrition in Rural Guatemala

Juan was born at home on December 25, 2024, in a rural community in Nebaj. His arrival, though joyful, came with an unexpected challenge he was born with a cleft lip and palate.

For his family, the first days were filled with uncertainty. Without prior knowledge of his condition, they sought help at their local health post, hoping to find guidance. Still, many questions remained unanswered, and the road ahead felt unclear.

It wasn’t through the health system, but through a neighbor who had faced a similar situation, that Jacinto’s family first learned about our  Cleft Infant Nutrition Program. This connection became a turning point. After reaching out and coordinating with the health promoter, Miguel, he began supporting them and showed them how to feed the baby using a special bottle, as breastfeeding was not possible. 

Before that, his family had been doing everything on their own purchasing formula and doing their best to care for him despite the challenges. Once enrolled, they began receiving regular visits, nutritional support, and the tools they needed to help Jacinto grow stronger.

Over time, Jacinto began to gain weight steadily. While the minimum requirement for surgery was 12 pounds, he reached 16 pounds by the time of his first procedure, showing strong nutritional progress.

In April, Jacinto traveled to Antigua Guatemala to attend a medical mission, where a team of doctors from Free To Smile provided surgical care to children with cleft conditions. This marked a significant milestone for his family after months of dedication, follow-up, and nutritional support.

Thanks to his progress, Jacinto arrived strong and ready for surgery. During the mission, he received his cleft lip repair, an important step forward in his journey. For his family, seeing the immediate change brought relief and renewed hope as they watched him begin to heal.

Jacinto continues to be part of the program, receiving ongoing support as he prepares for the next stage of his treatment. While his palate surgery is still pending, his progress so far reflects the impact of early intervention, consistent care, and family commitment.

Today, Jacinto is growing stronger each day. His story is still unfolding, but it already reflects resilience, determination, and the importance of access to timely care.

Ailyn has been part of the Cleft Infant Nutrition Program since the very first day of her life.  From the moment she was born, her family knew the journey ahead would not be easy — but they also learned they would not walk it alone.

It was at their local health center in Senahú where Ailyn’s mother, Matilde, first learned about Partner for Surgery | Asociación Compañero para Cirugía. There, hope was born — hope that one day her daughter could receive the surgeries she so desperately needed. For a long time, Matilde carried a quiet question in her heart: Will that day really come?

Living more than seven hours away from the Obras Sociales del Hermano Pedro Hospital, access to specialized care felt distant. But through consistent follow-up and nutritional support, Ailyn was enrolled in the Cleft Infant Nutrition Program in 2024 and began receiving monthly home visits.

Throughout this journey, Marta, Ailyn’s Health Promoter, became a constant presence — guiding, teaching, and supporting Matilde every step of the way. She explained how to feed Ailyn safely, how to care for her before and after surgery, and how to trust the process.

In 2025, Ailyn received her cleft lip surgery by Free to Smile Foundation, and later in January 2026 her palate surgery, performed by Dr. Alam with the Medical Missions for Children team, completing her surgical treatment. Thanks to nearly two years of nutritional monitoring and education, Ailyn reached surgery with an ideal nutritional status — strong, healthy, and ready to heal.

Today, Ailyn weighs 22 pounds, measures 76 cm, and is just two months away from graduating from the nutrition program. Her mother now feels confident and prepared, equipped with the knowledge to nourish and care for her daughter as she continues to grow.

Matilde speaks of the program with deep gratitude. She remembers the fear and uncertainty she felt before the first surgery — and the relief she felt when she saw her daughter return home safe, calm, and well cared for. In that moment, she knew she had made the right decision. When Matilde thinks about Ailyn’s future, she dreams of seeing her study, grow, and live a full and healthy life.