Casa Guatemala - Very Special Project

Dear Friends,

There are few things more precious than a child's smile. Unfortunately, not all children are born with one.

The children seen above were born with oral-facial clefts. It is our goal to help these children, and children like them, from having to go through life with the physical and social difficulties associated with this birth defect. Without reconstruction surgery, children born with facial clefts can suffer ear disease that leads to hearing loss, trouble speaking, dental problems, and many are unable to eat properly and experience malnutrition, which can lead to death. The odds are stacked against these children to live normal, happy lives. Many of them will not reach the age of two.

These children come from remote areas in Guatemala, where there are no government or private medical services available for families. Here, children will not receive any help with their terrible problem unless someone knocks on their door and offers it. The parents of these children work hard, struggling to provide for their families. They don't have the time, the means, or the knowledge of how to deal with this problem. The children that survive with untreated oral-facial clefts often go into hiding and live miserable lives.

When the time comes for the surgery, the children are transported along with their mothers to the General Hospital of Coban. There, Dr. Alvaro A. Figueroa, DDS, MS, along with his team from the University of Illinois, wait to perform the marvelous and miraculous reconstructive surgery that will change these children's lives forever. Dr. Figueroa and other passionate doctors like him from the USA have been performing these types of surgeries for over 25 years.

Alvaro A. Figueroa, DDS, MS
Co-Director Rush Craniofacial Center
Professional Bldg. I, Suite 425 1725 West Harrison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60612 Phone: 312-563-3000 Fax: 312-563-2514
Email: Alvaro_Figueroa@rush.edu

To assist the needs of the children and their families before, during, and after the surgeries, WIA will work directly with the orphanage of Casa Guatemala to solicit funds to in order that these children can get the help they need. With money donated to this project, Casa Guatemala will be able to mobilize two social workers from Guatemala City, one nurse, one local doctor, and countless volunteers. And, the money donated will also help provide a hotel, food, and transportation for their staff and volunteers, as well as the children's families. The overall cost per child is calculated at $500. Please help us give these children smiles and a fair chance at a normal life. We appreciate any contribution you are able to afford.

100% of your donations given to WIA on behalf of these children will go directly to fund this project. Our website will post updates as these children have their surgeries and their facial reconstruction is completed. For more information about this project please email Kathy Kaiser at info@wiaa.org. Thank you for helping these children!


Dear Friends, There are few things more precious than a child's smile. Unfortunately, not all children are born with one. The children seen above were born with oral-facial clefts. It is our goal to help these children, and children like them, from having to go through life with the physical and social difficulties associated with this birth defect. Without reconstruction surgery, children born with facial clefts can suffer ear disease that leads to hearing loss, trouble speaking, dental problems, and many are unable to eat properly and experience malnutrition, which can lead to death. The odds are stacked against these children to live normal, happy lives. Many of them will not reach the age of two. These children come from remote areas in Guatemala, where there are no government or private medical services available for families. Here, children will not receive any help with their terrible problem unless someone knocks on their door and offers it. The parents of these children work hard, struggling to provide for their families. They don't have the time, the means, or the knowledge of how to deal with this problem. The children that survive with untreated oral-facial clefts often go into hiding and live miserable lives. When the time comes for the surgery, the children are transported along with their mothers to the General Hospital of Coban. There, Dr. Alvaro A. Figueroa, DDS, MS, along with his team from the University of Illinois, wait to perform the marvelous and miraculous reconstructive surgery that will change these children's lives forever. Dr. Figueroa and other passionate doctors like him from the USA have been performing these types of surgeries for over 25 years. Alvaro A. Figueroa, DDS, MS Co-Director Rush Craniofacial Center Professional Bldg. I, Suite 425 1725 West Harrison Street Chicago, Illinois 60612 Phone: 312-563-3000 Fax: 312-563-2514 Email: Alvaro_Figueroa@rush.edu To assist the needs of the children and their families before, during, and after the surgeries, WIA will work directly with the orphanage of Casa Guatemala to solicit funds to in order that these children can get the help they need. With money donated to this project, Casa Guatemala will be able to mobilize two social workers from Guatemala City, one nurse, one local doctor, and countless volunteers. And, the money donated will also help provide a hotel, food, and transportation for their staff and volunteers, as well as the children's families. The overall cost per child is calculated at $500. Please help us give these children smiles and a fair chance at a normal life. We appreciate any contribution you are able to afford. 100% of your donations given to WIA on behalf of these children will go directly to fund this project. Our website will post updates as these children have their surgeries and their facial reconstruction is completed. For more information about this project please email Kathy Kaiser at info@wiaa.org. Thank you for helping these children!