In Bolivia, an 18-hour Bus Ride Leads to Life-Changing Surgery

Mariana’s mother passed away when Mariana was 21 years old, leaving her to raise her two younger siblings, ages 8 and 3. When Mariana became pregnant, she took proper care of herself and went to her doctor for two ultrasounds before her baby was born.

But those ultrasounds did not reveal that there was something wrong with her baby, Andy, who was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate. Mariana remembers crying when she saw her baby for the first time. She was worried and guilt-ridden. She thought it was her fault that Andy was born with a cleft condition.

Thankfully, the doctor and nurses at the hospital comforted her and told her that there was a solution and that surgery was possible when Andy was a little older.  

Mariana was relieved, knowing that surgery was possible, but she and her husband, Quiterio, had no idea how they would ever be able to afford it. One can only imagine Mariana’s feelings when a friend told her about Operation Smile Bolivia. When she called Operation Smile Bolivia, she learned that there would be a surgical program in Santa Cruz in October. The family could register Andy now, and Operation Smile would be providing them with food and a place to sleep.

When the day arrived, Mariana and Andy traveled to the bus terminal in La Paz, where Banco del Credito paid for their transportation costs. More than 18 hours later, they arrived at the patient shelter run by Operation Smile where they found 54 other families who had traveled many hours in the hope that their children would receive life-changing surgery as well. For the first time, Mariana didn’t feel so alone.

After a comprehensive medical evaluation by the Operation Smile medical volunteers, Mariana and Andy returned to the patient shelter where, along with all the other mothers, she waited to hear if Andy would be scheduled for surgery.

Andy was scheduled for surgery and was able to be one of the first to receive surgery. Tonight he is sleeping peacefully in his crib while Mariana looks on in wonder and joy at her baby’s new smile.

Mariana wants to thank everyone who made this life-changing surgery possible for Andy: “Thank you for making my baby so handsome.”