This is Jhon, a 15 year old who came to the attention of Dr Pablo Javier Salamea Molina while we were on the medical mission to Chilcapamba last month. Jhon stated he was constantly being made fun of because of his lip and nose and asked if something could be done to make him look more normal.
Of course, Dr. Pablo immediately set up the pre op tests and last Friday Jhon had his surgery. He came into the hospital grinning this morning for Dr. Pablo to remove t...he bandage on his nose!
Thank you Dr. Pablo and all the HKIE supporters who make changing a child's life in such a positive way possible!

This is Carolina, a beautiful 13 year old, also shown here with her family and Dr. Gustavo Ochoa.
Carolina was born with a severely pronated ankle and foot. For the first five years of her life she mostly staggered and fell while trying to walk. She then had surgery on her foot and tendons which has allowed her to walk. However, her tendon is still too short, causing her to be unable to plant her foot fully on the ground. This condition will eventually affect her hi...ps and spine without any correction.
Dr. Gustavo, a respected pediatric traumatologist and orthopedist, will set up her surgery this week. She will be in a full leg cast for a month and a partial one the second month.
Thanks to Dr. Pablo Javier Salamea Molina for setting up this appointment and to all our supporters for allowing HKIE to continue our efforts help children like Carolina.

Fundacion Rostros Felices-Cuenca
Dr Pablo Salamea Molina Medical Director for HKIE and FRF-C

First pictured is Angelita, just one month old, from Loja. Her cleft lip, palate and nose are so extreme it is very difficult for her to breath or eat. Dr. Pablo Javier Salamea Molina encountered her on our recent Loja mission. Angelita's parents brought her to Cuenca where on Thursday she was fitted with a special plate and nasal canula (fashioned by Dra. Siguencia of Hospital del Rio) to help her until she is old enough for her first surgery at 3 months.
On... the right is 3 month old Dominic who had a severe cleft lip. Also pictured is Dr Pablo explaining to Dominic's mother how the surgery will progress. What a difference between his before after pictures!
Both families expressed their sincere thanks to Dr. Pablo and to HKIE, knowing their children's lives have improved dramatically.
Thanks to all of our supporters, we have been able to help 151 children.

HKIE Numbers 147, 148 and 149
1st is young man named Andres who due to his childhood diabetes needed cataract surgery on both his eyes. A generous member of the Cuenca expat community paid for the first surgery and asked the help of HKIE for the second one. Thanks to the surgery performed at a discount by
Dr. Juan Jose Diaz of Hospital del Rio, this young man can now continue his studies.
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Next photo is Rocio Illescas from the Cetap Lucy School with one of her students. Jose David who has a severe dermatological problem. Dra Idira came in to examine him (while on her afternoon off on the way to workout....Thanks Idira!) He was given medicine and mom was given specific instructions on cleaning and applying creams.
Last is Josue with his parents and Dr. Pablo Javier Salamea Molina. Josue has a bowel control issue...Dr. Pablo is getting him some tests and referring him to a specialist for treatment. Hopefully, surgery will not be required.
Thanks to HKIE supporters, Dr. Pablo Javier Salamea Molina, Dra Idira and Hospital del Rio, three more children have received medical attention not otherwise available to the families

This was HKIE"s 8th medical mission with Rostros Felices.20 patients received much needed surgeries including cleft lip and cleft palates, Z plasty surgeries for burn victims, rhinoplasty (nose reconstruction) ,webbed fingers and a corrective ear surgery.
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It was such a pleasure to watch the medical volunteers working as a well coordinated team to provide life enhancing medical care to many of the less fortunate families from the Loja area.
All of these missions are approved by and coordinated with the Ecuadorian Minister of Public Health.
More info and photos on our next post.

Fundacion Rostros Felices-Cuenca
Dr Pablo Salamea M Medical Director for HKIE and FRF-C