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Peru: Qorito’s first mission in 2020

From our projects

29-01-2020

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From January 29th to February 1st, our Peruvian partner organization Qorito embarked on their first cleft treatment mission of this year. The destination was Azángaro, the capital of the province of the same name in the Puno region in southern Peru, 55 km from Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 3,850 meters. The mission started with a typical dish from the region, a so-called Fiambre, which the Qorito team enjoyed together with the hospital management, the patients and their families.

For our senior surgeon Dr. Alberto Bardales, these were four very special days, because Azángaro is his home town. In the Carlos Cornejo Rosella Vizcardo de Azángaro hospital, he and his team were able to treat 32 children. Some of the families came from far away to have their children operated, or to receive follow-up treatment after a surgery performed on a previous mission. Qorito and Deutsche Cleft Kinderhilfe were lauded for their efforts by the city mayor and the Puno state government.

We wholeheartedly congratulate our Peruvian team!

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Happy cleft child during our mission in Azángaro.

Eating and drinking is often difficult for cleft children.

A happy mother with her cleft child.

Peruvian child with cleft lip.

Team Qorito in action in Azángaro

Little girl with cleft lip and palate.

During the mission in Azángaro

Dr. Bardales operating.

Sylvia Luedkte Haas oversees our two projects in Latin America pro bono.

Peruvian cleft child after the surgery…

… and with the happy mother.

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DCKH

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The ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, who died in 1324 BC, is a historical figure known to many for the sensational artwork found in his tomb, including a spectacular death mask. What is less known is that the young deceased, like many people living today, was born and lived with a cleft palate.

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