Peru

Executive Summary

"The majority of Smile Train’s local partners are based in the capital city, Lima. Lima is where most of the Peruvian medical talent lives, but this is not where the majority of children most in need of free cleft surgery are located. Because Smile Train and our local partners are dedicated to serving those most in need, the partners are constantly organizing in-country surgical campaigns to small, rural hospitals throughout the year. These hospitals are located throughout the country’s rugged and vast terrain. Each partner tries to reach different hospitals throughout the country, and returns to these hospitals throughout the year so that the local communities receive ongoing, top quality cleft treatment.

"One of Smile Train’s star partners, Dr. Carlos Navarro of CIRPLAST, has been working with Smile Train since the very beginning. He and his wife, Elvira, have dedicated their lives to Peruvian cleft children and today have organized 100s of in-country surgical campaigns throughout Peru. They write that only with Smile Train support have they been able to grow the efforts and campaigns of their local organization, CIRPLAST, to reach more children in need. Please visit our Smile Train blog to see many of their amazing stories!"

— Pamela Sheeran, Vice President, Programs