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Child Stories from the Alta Verapaz Mission in March 2011 |
Jonathan Osiel Tec Pop was featured in the winter 2010 newsletter when he was brought to a Partner for Surgery Mobile Medical Mission at one month old weighing just six pounds. Unable to nurse because of a severe cleft lip and palate, Jonathan would have perished without medical assistance. Instead, Jonathan is healthy and happy because he was enrolled in the Partner for Surgery Targeted Infant Nutrition Program and, when he had recovered strength and health, had surgery for his lip and then his palate. 
In March 2011, a Partner for Surgery Mobile Medical Mission visited Jonathan in his home, crossing the same rugged terrain that Jonathan's family and Partner for Surgery faithfully crossed every two weeks when Jonathan was in the nutrition program. The family insisted on serving a "gratitude" lunch which was a joyful and memorable experience for all. Jonathan and his family are very grateful for Partner for Surgery and have been spreading the word in the community. Thankfully, Jonathan will not be just another Guatemalan infant mortality statistic. 
The Partner for Surgery Nutrition program has already proven its value. Nestle is providing formula at cost for infants where the mother's milk has ceased because the baby is unable to nurse. Pediatrician Dr. Lawrence Coleman and associates have donated 300 special nursing bottles required to provide nutrition to children with severe cleft lip and palate as well as a number of manual breast pumps which can be used if the mother and Partner for Surgery are able to connect soon after the child is born. |