​This past week we were able to get a few of our patients in for doctor visits.
First is 8 year old Fernando, from Ludo. After the normal vision test the doctor needed a more in depth study and ordered a CT of his eyes. It turns out Fernando has nystagmus: a condition in which eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements...making it difficult for vision and balance. He has had this condition since birth and Dr Miotto explained it could not be helped by surgery. Monday Fernando will have a follow up with Exilaser's pediatric specialist to be fitted for glasses to greatly improved his vision.
Next is Fernando's 9 year old sister Anita who also has vision problems from birth. The CT confirmed a loss in her field of vision. Anita is pictured wearing her new frames, awaiting delivery on her new lenses so she can have normal vision on Monday. Exilaser, as always, waived the fees for the vision tests.
Last is 13 year old Nayali, also from Ludo. She has had a hearing problem from birth and it was thought she may need new hearing aids. After a hearing test through our ENT, Dr. Diego Maldonado at Hospital Del Rio, it was decided to first try to re calibrate her old hearing aids before considering new ones.
Dr Diego ,as always, waived his fees!
Thanks to our loyal supporters and these generous doctors, the lives of three more children have been greatly improved.

First is young 5 year old Juan (whose sweet mother Mercedes does the cleaning of many expat homes). Juan's legs and feet were beginning to grow incorrectly....forcing him into a waddle like walk. A special brace was created (shown here on the outside of his clothes but to be worn inside) from his waist down to some orthopedic insoles. Hopefully this brace will do the trick and he will soon be running around like all his friends. To be on the safe side, we will have him examined by Dr Gustavo Ochoa, our orthopedic surgeon, as soon as possible.
Next is 12 year old Mateo from Ludo, a very small village about 45 minutes from Cuenca. Mateo was introduced to HKIE by the local priest Father Joseph and our neighbor Dina
Dina Lea Klotz
. He needed new lenses,, but upon the basic examination the doctor was concerned and performed a very complete ophthamologic exam. It turns out Mateo has Nistagmus, which causes his eyes to jump around making focusing very difficult. The doctor feels it is a condition from birth. Surgery can be an possible option if his special glasses do not do the trick, so at a later date we will get Mateo to see our doctors at Exilaser. In the meantime it is felt his new glasses, which he will receive next week, will do the trick.
He is shown here with his blanket donated by Dina and in his protective gear for the exam.
Both of these patients are works in progress and we will be there for both of them all the way.

This is 7 year old Dilan with his parents and with our pediatric surgeon Dra Muirkis.
Dilan was born with a defect in his "personal plumbing", making urinating very difficult for him. He was seen this week by Dra Muirkis who said he will need 2 if not three surgeries to correct this defect.
More information on his progress in future posts.
Thanks to Dra Muirkis for coming in special to examine Dilan, and to all our supporters, Dilan will soon perform normally and grow up without any problems in his genitals.
When he reaches adulthood, he will REALLY be thankful he received the surgeries he so desperately needed!Paragraph. Haz clic aquí para editar.

Right before the virus lockdown, Dr. Pablo Salamea Molina
performed his second surgery on 12 year old Angel. Angel was born with a severely misshapen ear and Dr Pablo is performing surgeries to correct the problem.
Also is young 4 year old Danny. Danny had life threatening nighttime seizures. HKIE has been providing medicines to both prevent the seizures and to help him sleep peacefully through the night.
Lastly is 2 1/2 year old Juan David who was born with congenital cataracts. After 2 surgeries, he now has his eyesight but requires special eye drops to prevent the glaucoma from returning.
Three children with families who send their deepest thanks to all the supporters of HKIE who make these life changes possible.

​Update from HKIE
Our friend
Derrylyn Churchwell
just informed us that Bryan is doing very well since he had his heart surgery a year ago at Hospital Metropolitano in Quito. He had a valve replacement and one section of his aorta was too large and another section was too small.
Before his life saving surgery Bryan could only walk about one block before he had to stop and rest.
Thanks to Derrylyn for bring Byron to the attention of HKIE and all of our loyal donors Bryan now can live a full, healthy life.
You know you are having a great day when you save a child's life!

5/15.....​Update from Helping Kids in Ecuador (HKIE)
Today HKIE made another donation to help
Edith Marianne Garcia
and Jamie with their project to provide food to some of the most desperate families in Salinas and surrounding barrios along the coast.
The funds donated were raised at the HKIE event held at Casa Blanca (Will and Peggy's house) in Salinas this past February. A huge thank you goes out to all the people who attended the event and made this donation and others possible.
Next up will be a donation to
Dodie Schadlich
and her Weekend Warriors to help them continue to their efforts to provide food to the families in need in Salinas and other barrios on the coast.
Edith, Jamie, Dodie and all the volunteers have delivered tons of food in their huge humanitarian effort and HKIE is proud to support them.

UPDATE 5/20

​In our latest post, we mentioned that HKIE on the coast contributed to the food projects there in Salinas.
Monday, we sent funds to the Emaus House here in Cuenca which continues to help feed the needy during this crisis. last week they provided food and medicine for 85 families.
Also helped again was the orphanage in Azogues run by Hogar de Jesucristo which has 16 children and 4 staff members to provide food, medicines and shelter to. HKIE will start providing the orphans with medical care at Hospital del Rio relieving the foundation of the medical cost. To all the children: Welcome to HKIE!
Until this crisis is over and we can get back to our goal of providing surgeries and other medical needs, HKIE will continue to do our part.

Helping Kids in Ecuador (HKIE) Update
As the quarantine continues, unfortunately we are not doing surgeries at this time (unless an emergency comes up of course).
This past weekend we received a request for help from Sr. Veronica Kim ( who is one of our prime coastal contacts for children). She is connected to "Hogar de Jesucristo", a small orphanage in Azogues. This orphanage houses 16 boys and girls with four resident helpers. They receive no funding from any private foundations or the government. The orphanage was in dire need of extra funds to feed and supply necessary medication for these children this month. HKIE donated funds to help them through this rough time.
When things get back to normal, we will visit the orphanage and work with the staff on a plan to bring the children to Cuenca for full medical check ups. We will let the staff know they can call us for any medical needs the children might have in the future.
All those involved at Hogar de Jesucristo send our supporters their sincere thanks!

Two children who will grow up without the stigma of a cleft lip.
First is Stefano, a 3 month old from Machala (shown with his mother and father) and the other is 3 month old Yerek. Stefano, after surgery, was not a happy camper but he will be! Both families are so very grateful to HKIE and our supporters AND Dr. Pablo Salamea Molina and Hospital del Rio for allowing their boys a chance to have a normal life!

Pictured is 10 year old Jaklin with her mom. She lives in a little community outside Gualaceo, where most of her relatives are blind or have minimal vision. Her eyesight is so bad she could not read the board at school. Now with her new glasses, she will be able to keep up with the rest of her classmates.
Also shown is 14 year old Xavier...some may remember our first encounter with him several years ago. He had been told he was going blind and to start studying braille. Now, about 4 years later, while he needs exceptionally strong lenses, he is still able to see and keep up in school.
Many thanks to our donors and to Dr. Miotto and his staff at Exilaser for working so generously with HKIE.

This week our pediatrician at Hospital delRio saw two of our patients. First was 6 year old Angel who has a lump on his neck. Upon examination it was determined it is a benign tumor most likely cause by and infection. Dr. Niera assured mom that it will not grow and is not dangerous. Should it cause pain or problems down the line, surgery would be an option.
Next was 3 year old Domenic, referred to us by Rocio from CETAP Lucy. Domenic was having trouble breathing and getting fevers. Dr. Niera determined he has an allergic reaction to the dust and heat inside the house. We purchased some medicine and hopefully he will be fine.