Check out the video of over 30 volunteer doctor, dentists and residents donating their time to do a health check up for the orphans at Hogar Miguel Leon in Cuenca. This took place through the combined efforts of Ecuador Cares, Helping Kids in Ecuador, Dr. Pablo Salamea and his organization "BRAINS" which seeks to offer volunteer preventative health care to Ecuadorians who may not have access to such services.

​As you can tell by the smiles all around it was a delightful experience for all involved. Should any child need further medical care Dr Pablo will coordinate with HKIE.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!
This is Jhander just hours after his heart procedure. Parents, doctors and all involved look at his change as a real miracle. The color in his extremities are almost normal...he feels like a new young man.
Thank you all who kept Jhander in your thoughts and prayers!
Jhander is one happy young man! Everytime we walk into his room his parents tear up and want more hugs.
​The picture on the right was taken a few day before his heart procedure and the one on the left is right after his surgery. What more can we say?

100th CHILD TO BE HELPED BY HKIE..
The story of Jhander.
​Our friend,Rocio Illescas,of CETAP Lucy, was for many years a missionary in the Oriente where she worked with some of the poorest communities in Ecuador.
...Recently she decided to revisit the area and met a family whose 9 year old son has suffered all of his life from congenital heart disease. The mother told Rocio that she had been told that the surgery Jhander needed was not available in Ecuador. While this type of surgery is expensive, it is available at a few of the major private hospitals in Ecuador.Rocio sent us the pictures of Jhander asking for our help and we sent them to Dr. Pablo Javier Salamea Molina who immediately sent them to Dr. Veronca Vasquez, a pediatric cardiac surgeon here in Cuenca. Upon reviewing the pictures, Dr. Veronica informed Dr Pablo that Jhander needed to get to a hospital ASAP.
Jhander and his mother rode three different buses for 12 hours to arrive in Cuenca.
The mother fully understands the heart surgery that Jhander needs is a difficult one but she also understands that without the surgery his life expectancy is very short. All she wants is for Jhander to be given the chance for a full normal life.
Jhander's medical condition is similar to that of Daniel Alejandro. Daniel had his life saving surgery two years ago. We hope and pray that Jhander's surgery will be as successful as Daniel's.
All of us at HKIE understand the risks involved in this type of surgery However, because we have such loyal supporters, we have the financial resources and the medical contacts to offer the surgery, how could we deny Jhander this opportunity? We can't and won't.
The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday in Cuenca at Mt Sinai Hospital. The surgeons are cautiously optimistic that Jhander's surgery will successful.
Jhander needs all the prayers coming his way as he goes through this life saving surgery.
helpingkidsinecuador.org
Fundacion Rostros Felices-Cuenca