HKIE and Dr. Pablo Salamea have been very busy this past week with new patients!

First is 2 year old Adrian, needing cleft palate surgery. Dr. Pablo had corrected his cleft lip a little over a year ago and now after this surgery, Adrian will be able to eat and speak correctly.
Next is 5 year old Kenia. She too had a cleft palate which Dr. Pablo was asked to repair. Due to the fact her parents were unable to get Kenia's surgery at the normal age of 1 1/2 years, she will need lots of help improving her speech.
Finally is little Isabella. Some may remember her case...after birth she was hospitalized with oxygen...the canula scratched the inside of her nose. Isabella developed a severe infection which ate away most of the inside and outside of her nose. Dr. Pablo Salamea, Dra Mariella Siguencia, and Dr. Diego Maldonado have been working together to recreate her nose. This is her 8th surgery performed over the last two years...the doctors each time replacing the nasal prosthesis to enable her to breathe.
Little Isabella and her family are real troopers and are so thankful to HKIE and our donors, and the doctors for working so hard to return Isabella's life back to normal.

Two eye surgeons at Hospital del Rio asked Dr Pablo if HKIE would sponsor this child. Of course we said yes!
Little 8 year old Ariana's eye was injured from a rock, causing a film not unlike that from glaucoma to cover her cornea. Dra. Elizabeth Pacheco and her sister Dr. Michele Pacheco performed a corrective surgery and placed a special lens in her eye. The doctors report the surgery went very well and the patient and her family are so happy and relieved that her severe eye injury has been corrected. 
​A huge thank you goes out to the entire surgical team for waiving their fees and for the generous discount from Hospital del Rio.

Little 5 year old Zara has Down Syndrome, but also has very bad vision, creating further problems for her. We got her to Exilaser who neede to sedate her to do a thorough eye exam. After the exam Dra. Naty Torres determined that fortunately Zara only neede a pair of glasses to help her along her learning path. Jim and Jennifer Cory assisted HKIE on this appointment and said Zara is a real cutie.
Vicky is a 13 year old who has worsening vision from doing all her schoolwork on the computer. Vicky needed a completely new prescription and drops to ease her eyestrain. She also has very bad foot problems and needed a new pair of orthotics for her shoes as she is growing so much!
Last is a photo of Valentina and Dr. Diego Maldonado. Valentina had her adenoid surgery 10 days ago and a follow up this week. She is, at last, able to sleep through the night (which she had not done before due to severe breathing problems). According to Dr. Diego she will also have a growth spurt with her body receiving enough oxygen.!
​All three children can now look forward to leading normal lives thanks to our donors and doctors.

This young lady is Kimberly from the Salinas area, who has only been able to "walk" with aid or crutches. Thanks to the coordination of our Salinas rep, Luis Galarza, HKIE was able to get Kimberly up to Ibarra to be fitted with a prosthetic foot. Thank you, Luis! Kimimberly spent several days there being fitted and learning to walk with her new foot.
With this prosthetic, not only will Kimberly be mobile and Independent, but she will also avoid hip and back problems as she gets older.
The short video shows her walking for the first time.
Another child helped to have a more normal life thanks to our donors and Prosthesis Imbabura.

16 year old Lenin was brought to our attention by Rocio from CETAP Lucy. He had a severely infected ingrown toenail that Rocio was treating with alcohol and salt baths. This helped, but he needed further treatment. Dr. Pablo Salamea put him on heavy duty antibiotics and proceeded to remove the toenail.
Also pictured is 2 year old Adrian. dr. Pablo had performed cleft lip surgery on him 18 months ago  and this past Wednesday repaired his  cleft palate. Adrian's entire family, including his grandmother accompanied Adrian for support and to personally thank HKIE for helping little Adrian have a chance at a normal life. Jim and Jennifer Cory who assisted HKIE that day, say Adrian was having a great time, laughing and talking to all who were there.

We were asked by Garry of Hogar de Esperanza if we could help with 2 sisters staying at the hogar with their medical problems. Of course we were happy to do so.
On the 28th we took both girls to doctor appointments. Celeste at 12, was having eye problems. Dra. Naty Torres at Exilaser examined her and diagnosed severe eye strain from doing her schoolwork on a phone...and the need for glasses.  Jim and Jennifer met them at Exilaser.
Her sister, 5 year old Valentina was having headaches and nasal issues. Dr. Diego Maldonado, our ENT at Hospital del Rio, examined her and had xrays taken. Dr. Diego determined she had unusually large adenoids that should be removed. Her surgery was scheduled for the following Monday.
​Both these girls and their mother are thankful to all our donors for providing them with a better life.