Fundraising for Cleft Palate Surgery

While the multitude of kind heart people of the Amazon will stay in my heart there is one seven-year-old boy in particular that stole my heart. His name is Jesús. I met him on the first day when the community of San Juan gifted us with handmade jewelry upon our arrival into the community. By random chance and what truly must have been the work of God, I just happened to sit in this one certain chair in the lineup of chairs at the front of the classroom. Jesús gifted me with my necklace and gave me a long hug. After that moment, Barbara Land told me that the child did not have a sponsor and I leapt at the chance to make a difference in a child’s life. From that moment our journey began. Jesús was extremely shy at the first encounter but as time went on, I got to see his personality emerge. My favorite moment of the whole trip was when he first climbed in the boat bypassing everyone else simply to sit on my lap and cuddle with me. As our relationship grew, it followed a similar pattern of us focusing on each other and getting to experience unique moments like Jesús getting baptized.

Jesús’ story and heart are much like the other children of the Amazon community. His mother is unable to care for him and his sister, so he lives with his grandfather and grandmother, Estella. Jesús loves the color blue, dinosaurs, and cuddles. However, his story comes with an added challenge. He was born with a cleft palate. He has had three prior surgeries but unfortunately one has come apart leaving him with an open passage from his mouth to his nasal canal. This is not only a cosmetic issue, but it affects his eating and drinking as well. During this trip I had spoken both to my mom, Mary, and Barbara, and from there, the mission to help Jesús began.

Barbara got in touch with Operation Smile, an international 501c3 organization that focuses on helping children with cleft palates worldwide. They believe that “safe surgeries is not a privilege, but a universal human right”. After getting in contact with this organization, they were coming to the Amazon to evaluate some children and the NVBHF Amazon contact Dustin Pinedo Gonzalez was able to get Jesús assessed by the program. While Operation Smile does do the surgery at a reduced cost, there is still a need for a monetary amount for the surgery. NVBHF was quoted $1000 for the cost of the surgery, transportation to Lima by plane with a family member, medication, housing and food for the duration of the stay of the surgery. Additionally, before the surgery was to take place, Jesús would need to be evaluated by the clinic in Porvenir to make sure his body would be able to handle the surgery. They would be checking for things such as anemia and treating it. Additionally, there would have to be a NVBHF member escorting Jesús and a guardian to Lima as they cannot read or write. This person would likely be Dustin Pinedo Gonzalez. The pre surgery checks, and transportation of Dustin would also need to be fundraised for which would bring the total amount to $2500. Operation Smile is hosting their surgery clinic September 7th through the 11th so I am hoping to raise the money as soon as possible to Jesús is able to start getting his pre checks and getting the help he needs. More information on Operation Smile can be found here. https://www.operationsmile.org/about-us?_ga=2.148624702.823195396.1659322598-1453932763.1659322598

Please give what you are able, and I appreciate any and all contributions to this effort, even by just prayers for the recovery of a sweet little boy in the middle of the Amazon. I hope to go back next year and see how Jesús and the others are doing. I truly left a piece of my heart in the Amazon and am anxious to return. When I was in the jungle, I told his grandmother of what my efforts were going to be back when I was in the states and her reaction was something that will be forever engraved in my heart. She took me to her shop where she sells hand crafted jewelry and small items as her livelihood. She told me and everyone in my group to pick out whatever we wanted. After I chose a small but beautiful bracelet, she kept giving me more things, even things to take home to my mom. Estella ended the evening by giving me a beautiful handmade basket. Such baskets are of upmost significance because they take two weeks to make. Her words brought tears to my eyes, and I think it is the only fitting way to end this letter. She sends blessings among all who are helping her grandson and prays in hopes that God brings goodness to all.

Much love and thankfulness for all,

Cami