For Tania and Fernando, the news of expecting twins brought excitement and joy to their rural home in Ecuador. At just 22, Tania was already a mother of two, but the thought of welcoming Ameli and Amaia into their lives felt like a double blessing. Their dreams for the future grew as they prepared for the arrival of their twins. But nothing could have prepared them for the challenge ahead.
Tania gave birth prematurely at 35 weeks—Ameli at 4:45 pm, followed by Amaia just 30 minutes later. But what should have been a joyful moment quickly turned to confusion and heartache. The doctors took both babies away, and Tania was left wondering what had gone wrong. Soon after, she learned that Amaia was born with a cleft lip and palate—a condition Tania had never even heard of.
In shock and filled with questions, Tania wasn’t allowed to hold Amaia right away. Instead, her newborn daughter was taken to another hospital for tests. The separation was heartbreaking. It wasn’t until the next day that Tania was finally able to hold both of her girls. As she cradled Amaia, tears filled her eyes. She wondered why this had happened to her family, but one thing was certain—her love for Amaia was unwavering.
Determined to help their daughter, Tania and Fernando learned about Operation Smile through their local social security office. Amaia was just 22 days old when the family made a 12-hour bus journey from their home in Esmeraldas to Guayaquil, hoping for a solution. The trip was exhausting, but Tania refused to give up. Even though Amaia was still too young for surgery, the visit gave Tania hope. The medical team taught her how to care for Amaia, showing her that there was a path forward.
Every 15 days, Tania made the seven-hour bus ride to the Operation Smile Care Centre in Quito. Leaving home at 2 am and returning at 2 am the next day, the trips were grueling, but Tania never complained. She would do anything for her daughter. The long journeys were a test of endurance, but each one brought them closer to the possibility of surgery.
During these difficult months, Tania learned something that struck her deeply—Amaia’s cleft condition was part of her family’s history. Her grandmother revealed that a great-uncle had been born with a cleft but had not survived due to feeding difficulties. For Tania, Amaia’s journey was no longer just about healing a cleft—it was about breaking a cycle and giving her daughter the chance her great-uncle never had.
Finally, the day they had been waiting for arrived. Amaia’s name was called for surgery, and Tania’s eyes filled with tears of joy. After months of sacrifice and sleepless nights, it was finally happening. Tania and Fernando couldn’t believe the moment had come, and their hearts were filled with gratitude.
Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Amaia’s life was transformed. The surgery not only gave her a new smile but also changed the future for her entire family. Fernando, who works tirelessly as a farmer, felt an overwhelming sense of thankfulness to the people who made this life-changing surgery possible. Tania and Fernando’s determination, along with the support of Canadians like you, gave Amaia the chance to grow up with the beautiful smile she deserves.
