Proyecto Huasteco is a non-profit organization that is publicly-supported to provide continuity and adequate financial support to Proyecto Huasteco, “Sonrisa Alegre”. Proyecto Huasteco, “Sonrisa Alegre”, is a program whose ultimate purpose is to rehabilitate children and adults with cleft lip deformities. This program helps to improve the quality of life for people who might otherwise endure a lifetime of heartbreak and humiliation. It also offers an opportunity to advance an international understanding of good will between the United States and Mexico. Why the name? The name was actually given because the program originated alond the east coast of Mexico in an area called The Huasteca.
In 1964 Dr. Valentin Gracia, MD had the idea and then organized the initial phase in 1965 and has been leading this medical team since. The program is the result of joint efforts of a great number of people from Mexico and the United States. Proyecto Huasteco, Inc. is responsible for the overall organization and planning of the phases. Medical supplies, nurses and physicians are provided. The Mexican counterpart locates the patients and take care of them before and after surgery. They also provide the hospital facility, nurses and doctors. Mostly children are the ones whom benefit from the program with an occasional few adults. And over 1,250 patients have been treated.
Originally, people that received the treatment were limited to the Huasteca region on the east coast of Mexico, but now the project has expanded and now moves in Mexico wherever the services of the medical team are requested.
Currently the project has progressed to two phases a year. Normally a trip in March and another in November where as many as 70 operations have been completed per phase.
The medical team is treating the cleft lip, which is a birth defect. The upper lip is split either partially or completely, on one side or both, and may or may not be associated with a cleft in the palate. It is not known what causes this birth defect however there is a strong hereditary factor. It is estimated that one baby in 750 – 1,000 is born with a cleft lip. And about one-half of the patients born with cleft lips have cleft palates as well.
The patients pay nothing. All services are paid by the sponsors like Rotary Clubs, civic organizations, banks and individuals. Money donated goes to pay for the transportation, medical and surgical supplies from American firms, operating expenses, to buy toys for the children and to pay room and board for the nurses and other members of the medical team.
If you would like to help by making a contribution any amount will help the program. A donation of $10.00 per year will enable you to receive the NEWS, which is a quaterly publication with exciting information about the project. You would also receive a membership card for your support. For tax reasons, it is best that contributions be made via check. However, if you would like to make a cash donation please request a receipt. You can even join the medical team and enjoy the inner satisfaction of seeing the ptoject at work and witness donations in action.
For further information you may write to:
PROYECTO HUASTECO, INC.
P.O. BOX 2476
FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76113
Dr. Walter D. Gracia, M.D.
1204 5th Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
(817) 336-9450
