Pictured is Karen...a little 4 year old and her family.

Dr Christain Astudillo performed a cleft palate surgery on Karin this past week.
At the same time, Karen also had her ear tubes replaced by Dr. Christian Astudillo (pictured with the family). Additionally Dr. Diego Maldonado supplied the special microscope needed for the surgery and Dra Andrea Astudillo supplied the ear tubes.
What a fantastic group effort by these grea...t surgeons at Hospital del Rio.

Also pictured is 5 year old Ismael (child 204). Dra. Andrea Astudillo (L) volunteered to perform a tonsillectomy on this little guy from a local orphanage.

​Thanks to all the doctors involved for donating their services to help these two children, to Dr Pablo Javier Salamea Molina for coordinating their efforts, to Hospital del Rio for their continued generous discounts to HKIE and of course, to all our supporters who make this possible!

Pictured with her orthodontist at a local dental school is Amanda. Following 2 years of extensive dental work due to her severe cleft lip and palate, Amanda is shown here preparing for her braces. Thanks to Dr Pablo Javier Salamea Molina for arranging her dental treatment.

Also shown is Jessica (Amanda's sister) along with their mom and our go to pediatrician Dr Vladamir Niera at Hospital Del Rio. Her constant headaches were causing ...concern. Dr Niera diagnosed her with severe allergic rhinitis and prescribed medication.....If her condition does not clear up soon, Dr Niera will conduct further tests.

​Thank you Dr Pablo, Dr Niera, Hospital Del Rio, university dental school AND all our supporters who help allow these children to live normal lives.

WOW....Helping Kids in Ecuador (HKIE) reaches patient #200!

This is Jacquelin, a young 18 year old who was seen with a group of 5 youths and children last week by Exilaser.

It was determined that Jacquelin had a retinal tear in one eye. This was made even more dangerous as she previously lost sight in her other eye. She also is the eyes for her husband of 19, Miguel, who received his prosthetic eye several weeks ago.
Her laser surgery was performed last Monday at Exilaser in Cuenca. Dr. Giuseppe Miotto says the surgery went very well and he is optimistic about the prognosis of Jaquelin's remaining eye.

​A special thanks to Drs. Miotto and Torres of Exilaser for their generous discount to HKIE and also of course a huge thanks to all who support HKIE and make these things possible. Jacquelin sends her heartfelt thanks to all!

Last Thursday HKIE took a group of 6 vision impaired youths and children from Gualaceo to Exilaser for vision exams.
​Pictured with his hat over his face is Cristian. He has an extreme allergy to light (photophobia).....any light causes him pain and headaches, so he normally stays inside a darkened room or goes out with his hat and hands over his eyes!
What a horrible way for this little guy to live his life!
Tuesday Exilaser (Dr Guisepppi Miotto and Dr Diego Torres) ) performed an eye exam under anesthesia for Cristian. The result.....he is permanently blind in one eye and has hereditary glaucoma in the other. Cristian and his mother left the clinic armed with medicines to clear up an infection and relieve the pressure on the eye.
Within a couple weeks the doctors are hopeful he can withstand enough light to perform an eye exam to provide Cristian with special prescription dark glasses. With the new glasses everyone is hopeful he will have vision in one eye and can go outside and play with his friends and attend school.
All of this is possible due to our HKIE supporters and the generosity of Dr Miotto, Dr Torres and Exilaser.