“Doctora, thank you for giving my child a new future. We had lost hope, but now, we can finally dream again.”
A mother in Bolivia spoke these words to me with tears in her eyes after her baby received cleft lip surgery. Her gratitude was overwhelming; in that moment, I was reminded why global health work is so important.
As a pediatrician from Chicago, I have the privilege of working in a healthcare system where specialized surgical care is available to most children who need it. But for families in Bolivia, access to these life-changing procedures is often impossible.
For the past five years, I have traveled with Healing the Children Northeast to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to help provide free cleft lip and palate surgeries to children who otherwise would go untreated. Through an annual campaign called Rotafeliz, we partner with local Rotary clubs to connect with families from across the country, many of whom travel for days hopingtheir child will receive care.
Cleft lip and palate are among the most common congenital conditions worldwide, affecting a child’s eating, speaking, and thriving ability. In the U.S., children with these conditions receive timely surgical interventions and ongoing care from multidisciplinary teams, including surgeons, speech therapists, orthodontists, and nutritionists. However, in Bolivia, many families have no access to specialized surgical teams. Without treatment, these children not only face significant medical challenges but also endure social stigma, exclusion from school, and limited job opportunities later in life.
A Personal Mission
My passion for this work is deeply personal. As the daughter of a Bolivian father and a Cuban mother, I grew up hearing stories of family members who struggled to access medical care. I was raised in the U.S., but my cultural roots instilled a deep sense of responsibility to use my medical training to help children in the communities that shaped my family’s history. Every trip to Bolivia feels like a homecoming- not just geographically, but for my purpose as a physician.
I know firsthand that talent and determination are not enough to succeed- opportunity is key. I was fortunate to have access to education, mentorship, and programs that supported me on my journey to becoming a physician. But for many children born with cleft lip and palate in Bolivia, those same
opportunities are out of reach simply because they lack access to medical care. It is unjust that a child’s future can be determined by where they are born.
The Impact of Surgery
The transformations I’ve witnessed are immediate and life-changing. A baby who was once hidden from the world due to stigma is now embraced by their family. A child struggling with feeding difficulties can finally gain weight and thrive. A teenager who once faced bullying because of their appearance can walk with confidence. These surgeries don’t just change faces- they change lives.
But cleft lip and palate care is about more than just one operation. These children often need multiple procedures over time, as well as speech therapy and dental care. While our team can provide surgical interventions during our annual trips, we also work to connect families with local healthcare providers for follow-up care. The collaboration between Healing the Children Northeast and local Rotary clubs, Sirari and Patatu, ensures that these children receive more than just a one-time surgery, they receive comprehensive support.
The Bigger Picture
While these mission trips bring hope, they also highlight the deeper issues of healthcare inequity. A week of surgeries cannot replace a sustainable healthcare system. Bolivia, like many countries, needs long-term investment in medical infrastructure, local surgical training programs, and policie that ensure children receive care regardless of where they are born.
The World Health Organization states that an estimated five billion people worldwide lack access to safe, affordable surgical care. In low-income countries, conditions like cleft lip and palate, which are routinely treated in wealthier nations, often go unaddressed due to a lack of medical personnel, equipment, and financial resources. This is not just a Bolivian problem, it’s a global one.
Campaigns like Rotafeliz make an incredible impact but are only part of the solution. True change requires continued investment, advocacy, and collaboration between governments, NGOs, and medical professionals. Expanding local training programs for surgeons and investing in community-based healthcare solutions are essential steps toward ensuring that every child has access to the care they need.
How You Can Help
Global health work is not just for trained doctors. Everyone has a role to play in expanding access to medical care. If you are a medical professional, consider volunteering your time or skills. If you are a community member, supporting organizations that provide medical aid can help ensure that these programs continue. Even raising awareness about healthcare disparities can drive meaningful change.
As I prepare for my next trip, I carry with me the faces of the children whose lives have been forever changed and the knowledge that so much more remains to be done. I hope that by sharing their stories, we can work toward a world where every child has the chance to smile, speak, and thrive.
Because every child, no matter where they are born, deserves to smile.
How to Get Involved
To learn more about Healing the Children Northeast or support their efforts, visit their website at www.htcne.org. To support Rotafeliz and the Rotary clubs of Santa Cruz in their mission to help children receive life-changing surgeries, consider donating or spreading awareness.
Together, we can help more children get the care they need and deserve.
Cover Photo: Caption: January 2025 Rotafeliz Surgical Outreach team for Cleft lip and palate in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Pictured are physicians, orthodontists, medical students, nurses, speech therapists and technicians from across the United States.
Emma B Olivera, MD is a proud native of the city of Chicago. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) with two Bachelor degrees: Science (Biological Sciences) and Arts (Latin American and Latino Studies). She completed her medical school education at UIC College of Medicine – Rockford campus.
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