Pictured is 6 year old Amelia, along with her mother, Karina and Dr Gustavo Ochoa Ramirez. 
Karina noticed her daughter's left foot and leg began turning inward soon after walking. For over three years Karin has spent time and money seeking a definitive diagnosis and help for her little girl.
Monday evening they arrived to the Emaus House from Salinas where they spent the night. Yesterday we took them to Dr. Ochoa's office at Clinica de Fracturas. Dr. Ochoa (Having already seen the requested MRI and xrays) spent over 40 minutes talking with Karina and explaining exactly the problem and the "cure". Amelia has Blounts Syndrome and will need 2 surgeries....the first to insert a type of pin to force the one side of her bone not to grow so the other side can "catch up". The second surgery will insert a piece in her knee joint that is missing...thus insuring her leg will be straight.
Amelia and her mom will return to Cuenca within the next week or so for the first surgery and the first step to a pain free normal life.
Thanks to Dr. Ochoa and our supporters for making these surgeries happen!

Yesterday 19 year old Adrian had his lip surgery. As you can see he will be a very happy camper when he heals and will no longer be self conscious of how he looks.
Today Dr. Pablo performed nose surgery on 16 year old Mayte who had a deviated septum, often causing her severe headaches that preented her from going to school.
Also today Dra. Mariela Siguencia finished a special prosthetic to fit over the cleft lip and palate of 15 day old Angel. This prosthetic will enable him to eat and breathe properly until he reaches the age of three months, at which point Dr. Pablo will peform cleft lip surgey.
All the families are excited to have their children's lives changed, thanks to the supporters of HKIE, Dr. Pablo Salamea Molina, and Dra. Mariela Siguencia who both donated their time and skills, and to Hospital del Rio for providing HKIE with significant discounts.

This is 15 year old Jhon who had his previous cleft lip surgery repaired. He is a handsome young man who had difficulty speaking properly....now thanks to the surgery performed by Dr Pablo Salamea Molina at Hospital del Rio, Jhon will be able to speak correctly.
Also shown is Victoria Valentina, a lovely 12 year who had a seizure and is also having trouble with her eyes. The doctor needed an MRI to accertain what is causing the problems. Unfortunately the family could not afford that test. Thanks to Philip Smith for bring her to the attention of HKIE.
Thanks to our loyal HKIE donors, we were able to help these two young people.