January, 2024
Seventeen years is a long time to wait. For Londi, a 17-year-old teenager from the picturesque yet remote village of Fray Bartolomé de las Casas in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, it certainly has been. She lives with her mother, Marta a dedicated housewife, her father Pedro a church pastor, and her sister.
Adolescence is tough for everyone. It’s a time filled with insecurities and the need for social acceptance. For Londi, these years have been particularly difficult due to her cleft lip and palate. She shared with the Partner for Surgery team how discrimination, difficulty eating and speaking, and her condition’s social stigma have isolated her from education and better opportunities.
Londi had been praying for the day she could undergo the life-changing surgery she so desperately needed. Her prayers were answered when her case was brought to the attention of Julio, one of our CPC/PFS Health Promoters, through a mother participating in our Cleft Infant Nutrition Program. From that moment, Londi’s father, Don Pedro, worked closely with Julio to coordinate her surgery, bringing hope and transformation to their family.
In January, Londi and her father embarked on a journey that would transform her life. They traveled for 12 hours, taking four buses and navigating challenging roads, to reach the Hospital de Obras Sociales del Hermano Pedro in Antigua, Guatemala. There, Julio guided them through the entire process, with the skilled team from Team Broken Earth Newfoundland performing the surgery. Julio’s translation of Q’eqchi’ ensured that language and cultural barriers were broken down.
Today, Londi is radiant with her new smile. Her recovery has been remarkable, and she eagerly awaits completing her transformation with a palate surgery.
Londi’s story shows the life changing impact made possible by your continuing support. Your generosity can make miracles happen.
Will you join us in creating more beautiful smiles? ❤️
