By Emily Lopez | General Director
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.
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