Fundacion Guayana Sonríe

The Guayana Smiles Foundation is an organization that operates free of charge for children with cleft lip and palate. The organization also assists and empowers their mothers. Due to the high contamination of methylmercury in the water in the state of Bolivar in Venezuela, approximately forty children are born with a cleft lip and/or palate every year. The Guyana Smiles Foundation is the only organization that helps these families, who are often impoverished, free of charge.

 

Additionally, the Guyana Smiles Foundation helps with the mental and emotional toll this congenital malformation can cause the children. Oftentimes, children born with a cleft lip and/or palate suffer from bullying and ostracization at the expense of their condition. The Guyana Smiles Foundation has embarked for the last 17 years to promote within their community the “Mama, no me escondas (Mommy, don’t hide me)” message to empower families to advocate for their children’s needs. With the help surgeons, dentists, and pediatricians— under the leadership of Dr. Marianella Fuenmayor—the Guyana Smiles Foundation organizes several sessions each year to help on average 60 children who suffer from this malformation and thus return the smile to their little faces completely free of charge.

 

Dr. Marianella Fuenmayor is a compassionate and caring leader. Her work in the community has restored the health and confidence of hundreds of children and their families. Her everlasting mission and passion to serve her community is the driving force to provide this life-changing service. Please consider donating today to help the Guyana Smiles Foundation continue to provide this life-changing service and restore a healthy quality of life to hundreds of children.