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Cleft child Matias from Bolivia: Cleft surgery in times of Corona

Matias is born on August 4, 2019 in the province of Ingavi, near lake Titicaca. He receives his first surgery, for his cleft lip, in February 2020 from our surgeon Dr. Mamani. Dr. Mamani is based in La Paz, where he heads one of our three projects in Bolivia. Just before the global Coronavirus lockdown puts a stop to all our surgeries the experienced pediatric surgeon closes Matias’ cleft lip.

Then life in Bolivia comes to a standstill for three months. In a country where almost half of the population lives in poverty, this has dramatic consequences for many. Matia’s father works as a day laborer on construction sites. Suddenly he can no longer earn money, can no longer feed his family. In addition, there is also the fear for his youngest son: Matias’ still needs his palate surgery. Dr. Mamani and his team had explained to the parents after the lip surgery how important it is that the palate is also closed in a second operation. But because of the pandemic, they at first have no idea when the surgery can be done. An untreated cleft palate causes many health problems, especially in small children. The children cannot breathe and swallow properly, so it is difficult for them to eat.

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During this difficult time Nora, the psychologist of our Bolivian team, looks after the families. She is in regular contact with Matias parents by phone. In early June, she finally brings the long-awaited good news: Matias can have his surgery! The operation takes place under strict protective measures. Working under these conditions is hard work for the team: The new hygiene regulations are complex and take a lot of time. Still, everyone is happy that they can finally help the children again!

Matias’ second operation goes as well as the first. When he comes to aftercare a week later, Dr. Mamani is very satisfied. While still in his first year of life, Matias has both important surgical interventions behind him. He has recently also received speech therapy. This is very important for an optimal treatment result in children with cleft palate. Dr. Mamani follows this interdisciplinary approach with great conviction and persistence. We are happy for Matias and the many other cleft children in Bolivia we can give access to comprehensive therapy – for a good start into a new life.

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Five good reasons to donate for cleft children
Tangible
We dedicate ourselves to a single cause: Treating children with cleft lip and palate. In our project countries, we offer direct medical help for the needy patients and their families. Measurable in the number of surgeries offered.
Comprehensive
Whereever the situation in our project countries allows, we fund additional necessary followup therapies beyond the surgeries, such as speech therapy or orthodontics.
Transparent
Every treatment is documented by our doctors in the project countries in our patient database and verified by us. This way we know that the donations entrusted to us are used properly.
Sustainable
Our goal always is to build sustainable, independently functioning structures in our project countries. To achieve this, we build up long-term partnerships and keep in close touch with our local partners.
Certified
The German Central Institute for Social Matters (DZI) certifies that we use the donations entrusted to us responsibly and properly manner. We have held this certificate continuously since 2012.
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DCKH Cleft children from all over the world From our projects Videos
From our projects
26.04.2022/
New cleft treatment project in Somalia
In late March 2022, after long preparations, many delays and problems overcome, our new project in the Horn of Africa region finally kicked off with our first mission to treat cleft children in Garowe in northern Somalia. It was an exciting occasion not only for our many patients who get to start a new life without cleft, but also for us. Many members of our international aid network came together to make the project possible.
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26.04.2022/
German-African team treats cleft children in Rwanda
After a one-year forced break due to the Coronavirus pandemic, our German volunteers Dr. Oliver Blume and Gunther Au-Balbach were finally able to treat cleft children in Rwanda again in late March. They were joined by our surgeon Dr. Laurent Siborurema from Rwanda and anesthetist Dr. Emmanuel Munyarugero from Uganda, who have been indispensable members of this team for many years now. The host hospital for the joint German-African mission is the Rwamagana Hospital in Rwamagana, Rwanda.
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25.10.2021/
First Cleft Pakistan mission to Khuzdar is a success
During the first surgical mission of our Cleft Pakistan team to Khuzdar, Balochistan, we were able to treat 103 patients with cleft lip and palate. In Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province, most people live below the poverty line. They live isolated in the mountains, without electricity, gas or mobile phone reception. Available medical care is rudimentary.
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Videos
21.08.2020/
Impressions from Bolivia
The parents of our cleft children are always full of gratitude. When their child is born with cleft, they often do not know what to make of the malformation, much less that it can be treated. And even if they do - most of our little patients come from the poorest of backgrounds. Their parents could never afford the operation. It is an unimaginable happiness for them to learn that their children can receive qualified treatment, and free of charge even. This wonderful, touching film from our Bolivian aid project captures these special moments of happiness.
22.07.2020/
Video: Impressions from Pakistan
This film, made for our Pakistani partner organization, the Al-Mustafa Welfare Societey, by the father of one of our patients, shows scenes from our work in Karachi. From here, our senior surgeon Prof. Ashraf Ganatra treats cleft children from poorest families. He operates the children from Karachi at the Al Mustafa Medical Center. In order to reach the many needy families living outside the city, he also regularly heads out to local provincial hospitals to treat cleft patients there.
02.03.2020/
The story of Dat from Vietnam
As a baby, Dat fell victim to an unqualified surgery. Probably inexperienced doctors severed important arteries during his palate surgery in Vietnam. The result: a large hole in the palate that massively affects the boy's life. We brought him to Germany to get reconstructive surgery. An individual case that due to the financial and human cost must remain an exception. In this video, we want to draw attention to the risks of "safari surgery" as opposed to sustainable development aid.
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