This is 3 month old Heller from Cuenca, who was obviously born with a severe cleft lip. The second picture is just a day after surgery and already one can see he will now have the gift of normal speech and looks.
This is the 4th child helped by the donation from Fishbone del Sur's play. Thanks to them and all those who supported their effort, there is a very happy family and child.
Of course Dr. Pablo Salamea Molina waived his fee and Hospital del Rio again gave us a wonderful discount.

​First shown with Glasses in his mom's arms is 3 year old Jordan from the coast above Salinas. His mother was ill during pregnancy and he needed an intercranial MRI to rule out hydrocephaly. Thankfully the test came out negative.
7 year old Mathias was born with severely protruding ears. You can imagine the teasing he got from the other children. Dr Pablo performed a surgery that pulled his ears back along his head. He and his family are so pleased he will no longer be teased!
Last is 2 year old Justin who just this past week had his severe cleft palate repaired by Dr. Pablo. Now he can grow up able to speak and eat properly.
Both surgeries were performed at Hospital de Rio.
Thanks to the doctors and our supporters, three more children have a chance at a better life!

Helping Kids in Ecuador (HKIE) Update
Pictured is little Victor....before his cleft lip surgery 2 1/2 years ago and now. We don't often get a chance to see many of the children after they have had their surgeries and gone on with their lives. These photos show what an incredible difference your donations can make in a child's life.

Helping Kids in Ecuador (HKIE) Child 342 and 343
Pictured is 3 month old Matias with an obviously severe cleft lip. Thanks to the skill and generosity of Dr. Pablo Salamea Molina and Hospital del Rio he can grow up without that stigma.
Also shown is Miguel who at 18 months had his cleft palate repaired by Dr Pablo and will now be able to learn how to speak correctly.
Neither of these two children would have recieved these needed surgeries without the generosity of our HKIE supporters!

Last weekend Cetap Lucy and HKIE had a minor emergency. Little 3 year old Irina fell and badly gashed her forehead. She needed stitches placed by a plastic surgeon to prevent a bad scar. Dr. Pablo was in surgery all day, so she was taken to Sta Ines.where after waiting a couple hours for the plastic surgeon to become available, Irina was stitched up as good as new. Between big brother, mom and dad and grandma and Rocio from Cetap Lucy, we had a very thankful group!
Also this week little 18 month Alfredo had his cleft lip surgery at Hospital del Rio. He was not a happy tyke before hand...he could not understand why he was hungry and not getting fed. As you can see from the immediate after photo from Dr. Pablo Salamea, he will grow up never knowing he had this cleft lip.
Thanks to all our donors, two more children and their families went home happy and healthy.

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.

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.

One month old Maria Avila (being held by her mom) was born with a very severe cleft palate. It is so severe that Dra Mariela had to make a special plate to fit in the mouth until she is old enough for the surgery to repair the palate.
3 month old Adrian(in his surgery cap) had his cleft lip repaired this past week so he can grow up smiling and speaking like his peers.
Lastly, 5 month old Johanna had the growth on her cute little ear repaired.
All the parents of these precious children wish they could personnaly thank all our generous donors who made these three surgeries possible.
Dr Pablo, as he always does, waived his surgical fees and Hospital del Rio provided HKIE with a substantial discount.

This is baby Maria, one month old, who was born with a severe cleft palate. It is so severe that Dra Mariela Siguencia of Hospital del Rio needed to make a special prosthetic for little Maria's mouth. Without it she would have had great difficulty eating and breathing. This prosthetic will help her function until she can have her surgery at 1 1/2 years.
Her parents thank all the HKIE supporters and Dra Mariela for helping their child.

This is four month old Guadalupe, shown here with her mother, grandmother and Dr. Pablo. Guadalupe was born with a cleft lip and Dr Pablo performed the surgery this past Thursday at Hospital Del Rio.
Thanks to our very loyal HKIE donors, Dr Pablo and Hospital Del Rio, this little baby will approach life with a beautiful smile. The family is very grateful to HKIE and our supporters.