First is 18 month old Pedro who had his cleft palate repaired by Dr. Pablo Salamea Molina at Hospital del Rio.He will now be able to learn to speak correctly and will have no problem chewing his food.
Second is Jhander. Some of you may remember from 4 years ago when HKIE paid for his first heart procedure at Sta Ines Hospital. The doctors had said the surgery was a matter of life and death. He has since had 2 more procedures done at IESS.
Last week he was released from Sta Ines after his fourth heart procedure to put in another stint. His blood saturation level pre surgery was only 74%. The surgeons fell good aout this surgery and Jhander is happy to be on his way home.
As you can imagine, both families are so thankful to HKIE, our generous supporters, hospitals and medical staff for giving their. children the opportunity to have a healthy, normal life.

The "eyes' have it!
Pictured are Victoria Veronica and Edison
16 year old Victoria has been suffering form severe headaches and blurred vision that caused her to miss.a lot of school days. She had a MRI perfromed to rule out a tumor,etc. Fortunately that test was neagtive.The doctor recommended a eye exam.. HKIE got her to Exilaser....she now is very happy with her new look and the fact she has no headaches and can see well for her studies.
Edison was born with a rare birthmark that invades the tissue or organs...in this case, his eye. He had a benign tumor and his eye removed at a very early age, but recieved no prosthesis. Dra. Mariela Siguencia of Hospital del Rio asked for the help of HKIE to make a very involved prosthetic eye for him (due to the fact of the orbit shrinking with no prosthesis). While he and his family are very excited to recieve the prosthetic eye, young 14 year old Edison is looking forward to some plastic surgery by Dr. Pablo to improve the look around his face and eye.
Thank you Dra Siguencia, Dr Pablo, Hospital del Rio and Exilaser for working with our foundation.
HKIE thanks all our donors for helping to change these two lives.

Helping Kids in Ecuador (HKIE) child 331
This is 4 year old Aimee. She had severe Strabisimus (cross eye) and congenital retinal detachment. She had surgery at Exilaser involving both Dr. Torres and Dr. Miotto.
While her eyesite will never be perfect, thanks to these two doctors and our HKIE supporters, she will have more than adequate vision and will have a normal look.
You know HKIE is having a great day when we save a child's vision!
Thank you Exilaser for the wonderful discount for this sweet little girl.

Helping Kids in Ecuador (HKIE) Child 330
Pictured is 15 year old Bryan with Dr Mendoza from Hospital del Rio. Bryan's plight was brought to our attention by our friend and supporter Derrylyn Churchill. He is in desperate need of heart surgery...his father having died within the last year of the same heart disease.
In his present condition, he can only walk about half a block before he needs to stop and catch his breath.
Bryan and his family were told that without the surgery his life expectancy would be very short. We had Bryan seen by Dr. Mendoza in the hopes he could repair the heart through angioplasty. After several exams, it was decided he needs open heart surgery.
Bryan was sent to Hospital Metropolitano in Quito where they have several pediatric heart surgeons. He had many more tests there also and it has been decided he will have his (8 to 10 hour) open heart surgery this coming Tuesday..
While they know the risks involved with this surgery, the surgical team took the time to explain exactly what they would be doing and made the entire family very comfortable and confident that all will go well.
He needs his aortic valve replaced; also two areas of his aortic artery are in need of repair: one area being restricted and the other too open.
To date this is the most difficult and expensive surgery HKIE has ever taken on.
Please keep Bryan and his family in your prayers and thoughts while they go through this very difficult surgery and recovery.
More updates coming..