Sponsor the Care of a Latin American Burned Child

A new survey comparing the incidence of childhood burns with a similar survey conducted in 1993 in Chile shows a decrease of 46%.  This means that 80,000 fewer children have suffered burns each year in recent years.

Dr Jorge Rojas, President of COANIQUEM in Santiago said, "To COANIQUEM these indicators are the result of the effectiveness of the Corporation's work in the field of burn prevention during the past 30 years, along with the progress of the socioeconomic status of the population..."

The institution has trained in prevention over 14,000 instructors throughout Chile in 30 years, with the support of the Ministry of Health and the Chilean Safety Association.  Since 1998, they have extended this prevention training to many other countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean.

Some of the important campaigns include "Alto al Fuego" with the law #19680 that bans the sale of fireworks in Chile; the campaign for proper use of electric kettles; the campaign to prevent overturning of stoves, and the "Safe Kite" campaign to prevent electrical burns.  Additionally, in 2012-13 1569 students from the institue DuocUC visited homes in rural areas teaching COANIQUEM's preventive techniques to the families.

We will continue to provide free rehabilitation treatment to those children who do suffer severe burns, but we would rather prevent those burns!

Your contribution will help us continue both our treatment and our prevention work.  Thank you!

In May of this year Azul and Sebastian completed their rehabilitation treatment at COANIQUEM in Santiago, Chile, leaving lives dominated by pain and disfigurement and entering ones full of hope for the future.

Their experiences are typical of children whose treatment lasts for years, as their bodies grow and scar tissue must be monitored.  

All treatment is provided free of charge.  Treatment includes surgery as needed, psychological and occupational therapy, housing for a parent during the child's treatment, and on-site schooling.  

Children from throughout Chile and other Latin American countries come to COANIQUEM for this special treatment.

See the pictures and reports attached to learn of the success stories made possible by COANIQUEM.