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It all began.... with a jar.... on the counter..... of a restaurant in Salinas, Ecuador, May 2011. That jar had a picture of a little girl...that little girl needed medical help......
Just a reminder for all you Amazon shoppers. Helping Kids in Ecuador is a listed charity with smile.amazon.com. If you have not already done so, please indicate Helping Kids in Ecuador as your preferred charity when you next shop. It may seem like a small percentage, but multiplied by multiple shoppers your choice may provide a needed surgery for an Ecuadorian child.
So began the first HKIE fundraiser that Memorial Day. No one attending was aware there was to be a fundraiser in addition to the traditional potluck.....but when the story was told, everyone gave generously and enough money was raised for Carolina's first operation |
Her surgery consisted of creating an anal tract. (When she was born, she received a colostomy bag and nothing more was done.)
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Our first Patient, Carolina, above and below, 8 years later!
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Over the next year and a half HKIE helped 29 children.
There was the family with three children all of whom had congenital cataracts. Abram and Edwin, 7 and 11 years of age, just needed minor surgery and glasses. Angela was 12. The doctor was actually dubious as to whether surgery could help her. Her eyesight was so bad she was not attending school. Shortly after the surgery she returned to school and not only caught up but surpassed her classmates. Her wish is to help other children as she was helped!
Six children, ages from 2 months to 5 years, with hydrocephalus (water on the brain) had surgeries and shunts inserted to drain off the excess fluids. All but one had no brain damage and should lead normal lives.
Miller, at 4, received leg braces and PT for his cerebral palsy and is able to walk.
Roberto at four months had been given a colostomy bag at birth. With corrective surgery, he now does not need that bag!
Among others were hospitalizations for Acute Febril Syndrom, severe kidney infections, surgeries to remove painful cysts, hernias, other cataract surgeries, malnutrition,and undescended testicles.
Mikey, at 7, received braces for his cerebral palsy and for the first time in his life was able to get out of the wheelchair!
There was the family with three children all of whom had congenital cataracts. Abram and Edwin, 7 and 11 years of age, just needed minor surgery and glasses. Angela was 12. The doctor was actually dubious as to whether surgery could help her. Her eyesight was so bad she was not attending school. Shortly after the surgery she returned to school and not only caught up but surpassed her classmates. Her wish is to help other children as she was helped!
Six children, ages from 2 months to 5 years, with hydrocephalus (water on the brain) had surgeries and shunts inserted to drain off the excess fluids. All but one had no brain damage and should lead normal lives.
Miller, at 4, received leg braces and PT for his cerebral palsy and is able to walk.
Roberto at four months had been given a colostomy bag at birth. With corrective surgery, he now does not need that bag!
Among others were hospitalizations for Acute Febril Syndrom, severe kidney infections, surgeries to remove painful cysts, hernias, other cataract surgeries, malnutrition,and undescended testicles.
Mikey, at 7, received braces for his cerebral palsy and for the first time in his life was able to get out of the wheelchair!
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The next chapter begins with Daniel.
Daniel was born with a heart defect and was given about 5 years to live. When he was brought to our attention he was 11 years old. His mother had just recently been told by the doctor that Daniel had no more than a couple months to live and to make certain all the family came to see him before the holidays.
We were able to rush him to Metropolitano Hospital in Quito. Caridad Ramirez, of the foundation there, worked with HKIE...the doctors performed the surgery at no cost and the two foundations split all the hospital costs.
At that time Daniel's oxygen level was under 40%...he was a "blue Boy"....unable even to walk up a flight of stairs!
Soon after the surgery his oxygen level was almost 90%. For the first time in his life he is able to run and play sports with all his friends.
Daniel was born with a heart defect and was given about 5 years to live. When he was brought to our attention he was 11 years old. His mother had just recently been told by the doctor that Daniel had no more than a couple months to live and to make certain all the family came to see him before the holidays.
We were able to rush him to Metropolitano Hospital in Quito. Caridad Ramirez, of the foundation there, worked with HKIE...the doctors performed the surgery at no cost and the two foundations split all the hospital costs.
At that time Daniel's oxygen level was under 40%...he was a "blue Boy"....unable even to walk up a flight of stairs!
Soon after the surgery his oxygen level was almost 90%. For the first time in his life he is able to run and play sports with all his friends.
Ishmael was 13 when Helping Kids got him in to see an ENT. It was discovered his nose was so blocked and out of alignment that he was unable to breathe though it. After the surgery his mother saw him sniffing the food she was cooking....that was when it was discovered he had never smelled anything in his entire life, but didn't know he was missing anything. He is now a different, confident young man.
Billie had her leg broken in an accident and her mother was told she would always have a terrible limp and pain. With the help of Dr Cordero of Clinica Latino in Cuenca, and physical therapy, she is now taking ballet.
Angelica has cerebral palsy and scoliosis. With intensive therapy she was saved from back surgery and now can walk upright.
Amanda had a cleft lip and palate....after several corrective surgeries by Dr Pablo Salamea (and a cute pair of miss kitty glasses) she now is a happy, confident young lady.
Cielo had a severe cleft lip...at 4 months she had her surgery and will face the world with a beautiful smile.
Other surgeries included tonsilectomies, ear drains, hernia repairs, detaching several tongues from the roof of the mouth. Valentine at five had such severe strabismus (one eye pointing in opposite direction of the other) that he could not read anything and was in danger of going blind.
Franny had an infection that affected her bone. Not only did she have severe bone loss but she was in danger of losing her life from the infection. After 2 weeks of antibiotic drip, the infection is gone and she is awaiting a bone transplant.
See our blog page for the most recent HKIE KIDS
Daniel thanking a group at a fundraiser for saving his life!
