By Leila Hawken | Executive Assistant
On July 23 the ribbon was cut to open the main doors of our new Pediatric Heart Center of Nicaragua. Officials and the media gathered to mark the occasion with speeches, music, and dance. A tour of the new facility followed and included a bedside visit to see little Martha, (2), the first child to receive an operation in the new building. The smiling face of Martha's mother said more than words can convey.
It is important to note with appreciation the role of our GlobalGiving friends who have brought us this far. While the opening is a grand achievement, the hospital is only half-furnished with equipment and supplies. One of the two operating rooms and four of the Intensive Care units are ready for use; the other half is still coming. That's where GlobalGiving continues to make essential contributions. Our main project "Healing Children's Hearts in Nicaragua" helps to fund the surgeries and training, and our little mircroproject "Keeping Infants Warm After Heart Surgery--GlobalGiving # 14408" is poking along to supply warming blankets, a vital detail to an infant's quick recovery after surgery. Both projects are necessary; both projects are active.
A bit more about Martha and her mother: They come from a small village in Nicaragua, called Valle de la Laguna (Valley of the Lake), near Grenada. Because Martha's father did not remain with the family, Martha and her mother live with grandmother. The problem that Martha was having was a chronic case of pneumonia because her heart was not functioning well enough. Now, after her surgery, what they call a DAP procedure, things are much better.
There will be more surgical missions in the fall, October and early December, to continue ongoing training in the new Heart Center, but what a wonderful Center it is. Alan Tellez, the heart surgeon at the Heart Center, is forever grateful for the improvement and the modern equipment, joining his staff in appreciation for this most up-to-date facility. Dr. Mejia called it a giant step for Nicaragua, and that it was, and continues to be, with your help.
Please consider a donation in celebration of what you and Surgeons of Hope have created together. Your donation will be put to work in supporting upcoming surgical training missions and providing the necessary supplies.
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