Dayana’s Next Chapter: From Cleft Surgery to Dreams of Becoming a Doctor

Cleft Care Opens Doors

When Dayana reunites with Dr. Valeri Paredes at the Petén Regional Hospital in Guatemala, they share a connection that began years earlier. Dr. Valeri Paredes performed the cleft surgery Dayana had waited 11 years to receive. Now, as they see each other again, Dayana is beginning a new chapter of her life.

Today, Dayana is attending school for the first time. She is happy, learning, looking toward the future and dreaming of possibly becoming a doctor one day.

Her journey is a reminder that access to safe surgery and comprehensive cleft care can help open doors for children and families. It also shows why bringing care closer to home matters for communities where specialized medical services can be difficult to reach.

A Long Journey to Care

In 2023, Operation Smile shared Dayana’s story and her mother Eluvia’s determination to find care for her daughter.

Growing up in a remote community in Petén, Guatemala, Dayana faced years of waiting for cleft surgery. Eluvia searched for help from the time Dayana was born, navigating setbacks and limited access to specialized care.

When Eluvia connected with Operation Smile Guatemala in 2022, the family finally found a path forward.

Dayana was scheduled for surgery during a surgical program in Petén, but the procedure had to be postponed after Eluvia tested positive for COVID-19. The local team stayed in contact with the family, helping them prepare for another opportunity.

Three months later, Dayana and Eluvia made the journey back, traveling more than five hours for care. After the necessary health evaluations, Dayana was scheduled for surgery.

Dr. Valeri Paredes was the surgeon on Dayana’s surgical team.

For Eluvia, it was a moment of relief after years of searching. She had continued looking for care because she wanted her daughter to have opportunities to learn, grow and pursue her dreams.

Beyond the Operating Room

When Operation Smile first shared Dayana’s story, she dreamed of becoming a teacher. Her mother hoped she would have the opportunity to attend school and explore a future that had long felt out of reach.

Today, Dayana is attending school and imagining a different path. She dreams of possibly becoming a doctor one day.

Her reunion with Dr. Paredes offers a chance to reflect on her journey and the people who helped make care possible. For Dr. Paredes, the impact of cleft surgery reaches beyond the physical change.

“It’s not just an aesthetic change but it’s an important change at the emotional level and for the family,” Dr. Paredes said.

Comprehensive cleft care can include dental care, speech therapy, nutrition support and psychosocial care, depending on each patient’s needs. These services can support a child’s health and development throughout different stages of life.

Access to care is one important part of a much larger journey. Children also need opportunities to learn, build relationships and discover what they want to do as they grow.

For Dayana, school is a new beginning. Her dream of becoming a doctor is still taking shape, and she has time to explore what that future might look like.

Bringing Care Closer to Home

Dayana’s experience also highlights the barriers families can face when specialized health care is far from home.

Through Operation 100, Operation Smile is working to expand access to safe surgery by equipping local surgical teams and strengthening health systems to bring care closer to home in the communities we serve.

In Guatemala, this work includes plans to strengthen cleft surgical systems in places like Petén, where Dayana received surgery.

Investing in local health care professionals and hospital infrastructure can help make care more accessible to patients while supporting stronger health systems over time. It is an approach that recognizes the importance of local expertise and the people who serve their communities every day.

Looking Toward the Future

Dayana’s story is still unfolding. Her dream of becoming a doctor is one she can continue to pursue as she learns and grows. It is a reminder of what can happen when children have access to the care they need and the opportunity to take their next steps.

No child should have to wait years for surgical care because of where they live. By working alongside local health care professionals and communities, Operation Smile is helping build stronger systems so more patients can access the care they need.

Dayana’s journey is one story. Through Operation 100, we are working toward a future in which more children and families can access safe surgery and comprehensive cleft care closer to home.