Children throughout Latin America who have suffered severe burns receive comprehensive rehabilitation treatment free of charge at COANIQUEM in Santiago, Chile. (COANIQUEM = Corporacion de Ayuda al Nino Quemado) Services include reconstructive surgery, physical and occupational therapy, psychological services, and education. Your contribution of $1,000 provides the full care of one child for the period of one year. $700 provides the medical care. $300 provides social services and education.
Low income children throughout Latin America suffer burns from open fires, electrical accidents, cooking accidents, fireworks, and other household accidents. Many are left with physical and psychological injuries they will carry with them their entire lives, unless they receive proper treatment. COANIQUEM treats an average of 8000 children per year free of charge. Since its founding in 1979, the center has treated a grand total of 100,000 children as of 2012.
Through reconstructive surgery and comprehensive rehabilitation services, most children can return to normal lives, free of the stigma of disfigurement, physical limitation, or social difficulties. Families are also impacted by a burned child. The social and psychological services provided by COANIQUEM help parents and other siblings adjust. Additionally, COANIQUEM conducts prevention campaigns in order to reduce the incidence of childhood burns.
A child treated at COANIQUEM has a better chance of leading a normal life after the trauma of a burn accident. Both physical and psychological issues are addressed. The child may return to COANIQUEM as many as 15-20 times over a period of years to receive additional treatment as his/her body grows. COANIQUEM in Chile also provides professional training to medical personnel from other countries in the region, thereby expanding the scope of available treatment to children from those countries.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
