​We are pleased to announce that Jim and Jennifer
Cory
have joined our HKIE Cuenca team. They will initially be helping us with patient coordination and future fundraising campaigns. They will be bringing a high level of energy and commitment to our efforts of helping the less fortunate children in Ecuador. They are not new to HKIE; Jim and Jennifer, along with some of their friends, hosted a very successful Super Bowl fundraising event last year!
Please welcome them to the HKIE team!

​Today was busy for HKIE and Exilaser. We received a call early this am about a young boy from Gualaceo with severe eye pain. We told the family to come to Exilaser ASAP.Thanks to Dra Nataly Torres (and the crew) at Exilaser, we were able to get little 5 year old Alexis squeezed in for an exam. Dra Nataly diagnosed him with scar tissue on one eye and gave him drops for the pain. We will have a follow up on Monday with Dr. Miotto to determine if there is any damage to the cornea.
Also today Exilaser saw 15 year old Pablo. After his exam Dr. Miotto determined that he is in desperate need of surgery. His eyesight with the best corrective lens is 50% and Dr. miotto said that if left untreated his eyesight would continue to deteriorate most likely be total blind in a few years. CAN'T LET THAN HAPPEN, CAN WE?
Pablo is set for surgery on both eyes this Thursday. Then in 3 months he will need a follow up surgery to prevent any further deterioration.
Thanks to a generous discount from Exilaser and all of our faithful donors, 2 children will not lose their eyesight. Two very happy and thankful families!

​Update from Helping Kids in Ecuador (HKIE)
Both of these kiddos are from Salinas. The baby with the severe cleft lip was referred to HKIE by Sister Veronica Kim from the Palmar Medical Clinic. While this will be a difficult case, Dr Pablo Salamea Molina will perform the surgery and she will grow up with a beautiful smile and be able to speak clearly!
The second child was referred to HKIE by
Dodie Schadlich
before the lockdown. She was born with deformed legs making it impossible to learn to walk. She has been on our minds the last few months. She will be examined by Dr Gustavo Ochoa at Clinica Fracturas to determine if she is a good candidate for surgery. We PRAY and hope she is! If she is cleared for surgery by Dr Ochoa, he will determine if one or two surgeries for each leg will be needed.
The HKIE team will do whatever it takes to give this little cutie the chance to walk and run with other children and have a normal life!
Because of our VERY loyal donors we can provide funding for the surgeries for both of these little ones.

​This is little 4 month old Damien from Troncal, a very lucky little boy who will now be able to grow up without the stigma and problems associated with a cleft lip. His parents (shown here with Dra Nicole) are so thankful for the HKIE supporters and doctors who made this dream come true for their little one!