Heller is a two year old who had a severe cleft palate. (His cleft lip was repaired by Dr. Pablo Salamea a year and a half ago.) Dr. Pablo performed the second surgery this past week.

Diana is 4 months old with a severe cleft lip. She also had surgery with Dr. Pablo. 

Both  these children can now grow up eating and speaking properly thanks to our donors, Dr. Pablo and Hospital del Rio.
Just imagine how thankful and relieved the parents are that their children can now have a normal life and can go to school looking just like the other kids.
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Two more children benefitting from the skills and generosity of our Medical Director, Dr. Pablo Salamea Molina.

First is 2 year old Martin who had a cleft palate, which of course would have prevented him from eating and speaking correctly. We saw the family several days after the surgery and they are so happy with the results! he was ready for that surgery...zooming along in the wheelchair!

The second child blessed by Dr. Pablo's skill was Maria Celeste who had a very severe cleft lip. She had her corrective surgery yesterday and she too will be able to grow up like other children. Her family is from Gualaceo and were thankful and amazed that someone would help with their darling little girl.

​None of this happens without the support of our donors....thanks!​

​This is 10 month old Luciana. Her plight was brought to our attention by Sr. Veronica from the Palmar clinic, asking if HKIE could help.
Luciana, her mom Jocelin, and her grandmother Rosa, took the bus here and spent their first night last Sunday at Posada de Angel (thanks for the discount Daniel!). She had her Covid test Monday morning and we moved them over to Buen Samaritano (Emaus House .... our version of Ronald Mcdonald for those who are not familiar with it).
Dr Pablo Salamea Molina performed this difficult surgery on Tuesday and they returned home on Wednesday. As you can see the surgery was a great success !! Thaanks to Dr. Pablo, Hospital del Rio and our donors, this little one has a bright future.
Luciana will return next eek to be fit for a special dental prosthesis so her teeth and mouth will form correctly. Dra. Mariela Seguncia will make the form for her.
Another child helped thanks to all of you!

​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!

​This is little 7 month old Angelina from the Cotacachi area. She had been scheduled for her cleft lip surgery in March, which unfortunately had to be postponed due to the Covid lockdown.
HKIE arranged to have all her pre surgery testing done near home and the family came in for the surgery on the 10th. As Emaus is still closed, Posada del Angel (Mangiare Bene restaurant) on Simon Bolivar gave us a deal to house them for the night following surgery.
Dr Pablo Salamea Molina performed the surgery on the 10th. As you can tell from the picture of her pre surgery, this was a very difficult case. Yet just 10 days later one can see what a beautiful job was done and that this little "angel" will grow up to be quite a beauty.
Even after all of the years working with Dr Pablo, it still amazes us to see what he can do in a two hour surgery with a scalpel in his talented hands! The before and after pictures says it all!
Needless to say, her parents were thrilled to have their precious little one healed. The father creates leather goods and had a gift for all of us.

This is 7 day old Maria Celeste. Maria was born with such a severe cleft lip, she was unable to eat or breathe efficiently.
Dra. Mariela Elisa Siguencia fashioned (under anesthesia) a special prosthetic for Maria Celeste's mouth that will enable her to drink and breathe until she reaches the age of 3 months. At that point Dr. Pablo Javier Salamea Molina
will be able to repair her cleft lip.
Thanks to Dra. Mariela, Hospital del Rio and all our supporters.

​First is little 2 year old Lian who suffered from a cleft palate. Dr.
Pablo Javier Salamea Molina
repaired the palate 2 weeks ago. Lian's mother is very happy her son was able to receive this corrective surgery.
Also treated is 2 year 4 month old Felix, shown with Dra.
Nicole Solano
, Dr. Pablo's assistant and also with his mother. Felix too had a cleft palate that Dr. Pablo repaired this past week.
Both boys can now grow up speaking correctly and not have the added problem of food going up into their nasal passages. Thanks to Dr. Pablo, Hospital del Rio, and our supporters, these two children will have the chance to lead normal, productive lives.
A huge thank you goes out to Hospital Del Rio for providing HKIE with significant discounts for both surgeries!

​This is 5 year old Domenic from Descanso...about 20 miles outside of Cuenca. 4 years ago Dr Pablo Javier Salamea Molina repaired Domenic's cleft lip.
This past week we repaired his cleft palate. While not the worst Dr. Pablo has ever seen, any hole in the roof of the mouth will prevent a child from eating and speaking correctly.
Two surgeries in four years will totally change his quality of life! Thank you Dr Pablo, Hospital Del Rio and the loyal HKIE supporters for making both surgeries possible for Domenic!
Domenic's mother is very grateful her child will be able to live a healthy, normal life!

​As posted yesterday from Hospital del Rio, this is Maria from "little" Banos. Her cleft lip was repaired by Dr.
Pablo Javier Salamea Molina at Hospital del Rio.
Her parents were thrilled to receive the help of HKIE to allow their beautiful little daughter grow up without the stigma of a cleft lip.
The parents never dreamed Maria would have her surgery performed in a first class private hospital by a surgeon as talented as Dr Pablo. HKIE is very fortunate and blessed to have a partnership with Dr Pablo and Hospital Del Rio!
A big thanks to all the supporters who make these little miracles a reality.

Two children who will grow up without the stigma of a cleft lip.
First is Stefano, a 3 month old from Machala (shown with his mother and father) and the other is 3 month old Yerek. Stefano, after surgery, was not a happy camper but he will be! Both families are so very grateful to HKIE and our supporters AND Dr. Pablo Salamea Molina and Hospital del Rio for allowing their boys a chance to have a normal life!