Pictured is Priscila with Dr Pablo Javier Salamea Molina after her third and last surgery The top right picture is her hand after the first surgery. The bottom  picture is before her first surgery. What a difference!
Priscila has now had the last of her three surgeries to create fingers to give her a normal hand. She previously kept her hand in her pocket, she was so embarrassed to have others see her hand. When she was younger, her mother had to hide the scissors because Priscila could not understand why they couldn't just cut her fingers apart so she could be like all the other children.
Thanks to the surgeries performed by Dr. Pablo, Priscila now waves her hand around and is so happy to have a totally functional left hand! After she has 30 days or so to heal from her last surgery we will post another picture!
​Thanks also to Choco Spivey of Villa de Los Suenos for introducing Priscila to HKIE.

Here is 9 year old Juan Carlos...Juan Carlos received two prosthetic eyes last year. Unfortunately they are way too large for him and cause him constant pain and headaches. ​
​Again, thanks to Dra Siguencia HKIE will be able to help this young man receive new ones that will fit him properly.

This is Mikel, a nine year old living in the Ibarra area. He was born with no hands, and at the age of 2 months the doctors amputated one leg at the ankle and one at the knee.
The video shows Mikel walking for the first time in his entire life. No words are sufficient to describe this experience. Just imagine the joy his parents felt watching him walk for the first time!
HKIE was able to provide the prosthetics for his legs and a private donor will soon provide him with hands.
​Thanks to all our supporters who made this miracle available to this child and his family!

The story of Romina continues......
Romina, who lives in Salinas, was born with double microtia (only ear nubs). When she was brought to the attention of HKIE two years ago, she was about to be kicked out of school due to her lack of hearing.
Thanks to a private donor, the donation of his surgical services by Dr. Diego Maldonado, and a generous discount by Hospital del Rio, Romina received a cochlear implant. Her amazement when she first heard the spoken word, the sound of waves and the song of a bird was something to behold! She is now doing very well in school and is eagerly looking forward to high school.
Last Friday Romina had the last of 6 surgeries performed by Dr. Fernando Quintana in Guayaquil. Dr Fernando Quintana Jedermann waived his surgical fees for all six surgeries and his clinic gave HKIE a substantial discount on all the hospital costs. Romina now has 2 real ears! As you can see by her smile and the joy in her eyes, this is truly a dream come true for this young lady. Romina is now a secure, vivacious young lady who has a future thanks to these doctors and of course all the supporters of HKIE!
​Also a huge thank you to Dr Pablo Javier Salamea Molina for introducing HKIE to both of these wonderful surgeons!.

This is 19 year old Miguel, from Gualaceo, along with Dra Siguencia and Miguel's wife Jaqueline.
Miguel lost his right eye 2 years ago in an accident and Dra Siguencia is in the process of making him a prosthetic eye which he should have by Wednesday. His young wife was in tears when she realized Miguel would actually receive help.
They both suffer from glaucoma and will be examined by the eye surgeons at Exilaser in Cuenca in a few weeks.
​A huge thank you goes out to Dra Mariela Elisa Siguencia and our HKIE supporters for making these life enhancing medical services available to this young couple.

​Also pictured is Miguel with his prosthetic eye.....

This is Maylin, a joyous little girl HKIE met last July in Otovalo. At that time, Maylin was confined to her crib due to her cerebral palsy.
After six months of physical therapy, Maylin can turn herself over AND as you can see, she is learning to use her legs and begin to walk. Both she and her parents ( and the entire community where she lives!) are so eternally grateful for the opportunity Maylin now has thanks to HKIE and all our supporters!
Maylin's physical therapist is amazed at the time and effort she puts into her PT sessions. Maylin is a real trooper!
​Thanks also to Elizabeth Anderson for her continued efforts on the part of Maylin and HKIE.

This is Kevin, with his father Julio from the Otavalo area. Yesterday Kevin had surgery in Cuenca to remove a painful tumor from his foot. Kevin attends university...studying engineering and also dances with a group.Thank you Dr. Pablo Javier Salamea Molina, Dr. Tapia, Emaus House and HKIE supporters for allowing this young man to continue his life and studies.