FFTP Joins Forces With World Pediatric Project To Transform Lives of Children in Latin America
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2024) – A collaboration between Food For The Poor (FFTP) and World Pediatric Project (WPP) provides specialized medical care and comprehensive assistance to children in Latin America who require complex surgical interventions beyond their home countries’ capabilities.
The collaboration includes two programs: The U.S. Referrals Program and the Latin America Sponsorship Program, with support totaling $53,400 from FFTP.
“All of us at Food For The Poor are delighted to collaborate with World Pediatric Project,” FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine said. “Our mission is to transform the lives of the poor and vulnerable. This collaborative effort enables us to provide critical medical care to children in Latin America facing complex health challenges and make a meaningful impact on their lives.”
As part of the U.S. Referrals Program, FFTP pledged $30,000 to support WPP in assisting three to six children with critical medical challenges, such as spine, cardiac, craniofacial, and other pediatric specialties. The children travel to the United States or other countries where WPP has established partnerships to receive the specialized care they need.
The Latin America Sponsorship Program, a pivotal component of the collaboration, includes a $23,400 investment by FFTP to support a minimum of 30 Guatemalan children this year. The funds will go toward neurosurgical or other pediatric specialized surgeries at Juan Pablo II for 10 children and mental health counseling for 20 children.
“We are excited about our new and powerful collaboration with Food For The Poor,” said Kate Corbett, WPP Co-founder and Senior Program Director. “The collective resources of both of our organizations, in addition to our shared passion to help children who have limited pediatric surgical resources in their home countries, will result in a healthier and brighter future for many children.”
For 5-year-old Daniela, of Honduras, the collaboration means she will receive the care she needs for treatment of Apert syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes the fusion of bones in the skull, hands, and feet. It is characterized by deformities of the skull, face, teeth, and limbs.
To mitigate complications that could stem from this condition, such as vision loss, impaired breathing, and increased pressure on her brain, Daniella’s doctors deemed surgery as essential. Thanks to the financial support of FFTP, Daniela traveled to Dayton, Ohio, for treatment through WPP and has already undergone craniofacial surgery and a procedure to separate her fingers.
The next step in her care involves another complex craniofacial surgical procedure, as well as continued occupational therapy to improve the function of her hands. This comprehensive approach will address the challenges posed by Apert syndrome and enhance Daniela’s overall well-being.
“We are committed to helping Daniela and other children who face a lifetime of difficulty because of medical conditions that could be treated if only they had access to the care they need,” said Karen Fisher, FFTP Benevolent Program Manager. “This collaboration will extend our reach to bring hope and healing to children who might otherwise go without it.”
World Pediatric Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to healing children and advancing local health care capacity in the world. Since 2001, WPP has sent pediatric diagnostic and surgical teams to low-resource countries in the Caribbean and Latin America and linked children to centers of health care excellence in the United States and beyond for care, mobilizing more than $220 million in services through in-kind contributions and supply donations to reach more than 20,000 children. To learn more, visit worldpediatricproject.org.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 17 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Ernestine Williams
Communications
305-321-7342
[email protected]
