Closing the Distance Between Communities and Care in Guatemala

For many families in Petén, reaching a hospital can mean a long and difficult journey. But even after arriving at a health facility, specialized care may still be out of reach because many healthcare providers with specialized training are based in larger cities.

For children born with cleft conditions, receiving the care they need often requires traveling long distances to access surgeons and other specialists. For families who speak Q’eqchi’, a Mayan language spoken by many Indigenous communities in Petén, language differences can create another barrier. Parents may struggle to explain their child’s condition, understand treatment recommendations or navigate follow-up care.

Operation Smile works with local volunteers, healthcare workers and community leaders in Guatemala to address these barriers. Through Operation 100, Operation Smile’s commitment to bring safe, essential surgical care closer to patients’ homes, we are strengthening local health systems and investing in the people who will continue caring for their communities for generations to come.

Understanding the Access Gap in Petén

Guatemala is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in Latin America. Spanish is the official language, but the country is also home to 22 recognized Mayan languages, as well as Garifuna and Xinca.

In Petén, many families speak Q’eqchi’. When families cannot easily communicate with their healthcare providers, it can make it more difficult to seek care, understand treatment recommendations and follow through with care.

Geography adds another challenge. Petén is Guatemala’s largest province by land area and includes many rural and remote communities. For families living far from hospitals and specialized services, accessing care can require hours by bus, long walks or multiple trips away from home.

Approximately 80% of Operation Smile’s patients in Guatemala travel more than two hours to receive the care they need. For a child born with a cleft condition, these barriers can delay access to surgery and other essential services.

Building Stronger Care Through Local Leadership

Every child deserves access to safe, comprehensive surgical care, regardless of where they live or what language they speak.

That belief is at the heart of Operation 100. Through this commitment, Operation Smile is working to strengthen surgical systems by equipping local hospitals, training local healthcare providers and expanding access to year-round care.

In Guatemala, Operation Smile is strengthening care across three regions: Guatemala City, Escuintla and Petén. By building stronger connections between regional hospitals and communities, more families will be able to receive timely, specialized care within their region.

The approach is simple: Lasting change happens when communities have the knowledge, resources and leadership to provide their own care.

Operation Smile is investing in local surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nurses, speech therapists, nutrition specialists and other health workers who understand the communities they serve. In Petén, this includes training more specialists locally so families can access comprehensive cleft care from providers who understand their language, culture and unique needs.

Trust Makes Care Possible

Healthcare is built on trust. When families can communicate with their care team in a language they understand, they can ask questions, make informed decisions and feel confident throughout their child’s care journey.

Providers who understand a family’s language, culture and daily realities can build stronger relationships with patients and families. That trust encourages families to seek care earlier, return for follow-up appointments and access the full range of services their child needs.

A nutrition specialist can provide guidance that fits a family’s daily life. A speech therapist can help a child develop confidence as they grow. These connections are essential to ensuring children receive the comprehensive support they need beyond surgery.

Comprehensive Care Beyond Surgery

Cleft care is about more than surgery. Children born with cleft conditions may need nutrition support, speech therapy, dental and oral health care, and psychosocial support as they grow. These services work together to help children thrive.

Locally led care ensures families receive support from people who understand their needs, not just during surgery, but throughout their child’s journey.

A Future Built by Communities

Closing the distance between communities and care requires more than reaching families once. It requires building systems that can provide care today and for generations to come.

Through Operation 100, Operation Smile is partnering with local volunteers, health workers and health systems in Guatemala to create a future where more children can access comprehensive cleft care from providers who understand their language, culture and community.

By investing in local teams and strengthening local health systems, Operation Smile is helping ensure that more families in Guatemala can receive the care they need — closer to home.