FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
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Peace Corps
Contact: Press Office
Phone: 202.692.2230
Fax: 202.692.1379
Email: pressoffice@peacecorps.gov |
Peace Corps Volunteer, Local Organizations Come Together to Bring El Salvador Youth to U.S. for Surgery |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – After 8-year-old David Ananias Vásquez Fuentes had a
grenade explode in his hand in February, local doctors had little hope that he
would ever be able to see again or use his arm. That was before Fuentes met
Peace Corps volunteer Jordan Gantz.
While traveling one day in his host community of Conchagua, El Salvador,
Gantz saw a sign announcing that a local telethon had been held for Fuentes.
After inquiring with some local citizens, Gantz learned the community had raised
nearly $7,000 U.S.; however, the limited medical technology in El Salvador would
not allow local doctors to perform the procedure to help restore Fuentes’ sight.
Gantz set out to see how he could help. On a tip from his country director,
Gantz came into contact with returned Peace Corps volunteer Dwight Steen, a
member of the Northern Virginia Lions Club. With the help of the local Lions
Club and Lions Club International, Gantz was able to find two Fairfax, Va.,
doctor who would donate the procedure costs, working through the Inova Health
System. The Fairfax Lions Club was also able to locate a new cornea for Fuentes
through their Eye Bank program.
"I would say this is my greatest accomplishment thus far as a volunteer,
seeing this all come together," said Gantz. "Hopefully, this will provide David
with life opportunities that right now he doesn’t have."
After securing airline tickets through a donation from TACA airlines, and
visas, Fuentes, Gantz and Fuentes’ mother Santos set out for the Washington,
D.C. metro area and arrived on May 17. On May 20, the two local Virginia
doctors, Dr. Manfred von Fricken and Dr. Binoy Jani, replaced Fuentes’ cornea
and cleaned the debris from around his retina, hoping this will allow Fuentes to
possibly see again. While it will be months before doctors will know whether the
surgery worked, last weekend, Fuentes was already getting back to being a kid –
enjoying some time with his stuffed animals and new toy matchbox cars.
"After evaluating David, we felt we really may be able to help him," said
Jani, who donates his time and surgical skills through the Fairfax Lions Club
program to patients who can greatly benefit but cannot afford the procedures.
"We are optimistic about his potential for recovery, depending on how his post
operative course goes in El Salvador."
Four days after the surgery, Fuentes was able to see the doctor’s fingers
from a foot away for the first time since the accident. Later that day, Peace
Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez visited Fuentes at a local Ronald McDonald House
and presented him with a teddy bear.
"This is the kind of story that really shows the commitment volunteers have
for the people in their communities," said Director Vasquez. "Hopefully, this
will mark the beginning of a successful recovery for this young boy."
Gantz chronicled Fuentes’ visit to the U.S. in a diary. To read the diary or
to learn how to contribute, please visit:
http://www.acoconchagua.com/solidaridad/english/home.htm.
Since 1961, more than 171,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps,
working in such diverse fields as education, health, HIV/AIDS education and
prevention, information technology, business development, the environment, and
agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years
of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.
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