Diego’s Story

Diego is a patient who has grown up with us! He first met GSF volunteers in 1996 at the age of three months for a cleft lip repair. A year later, our volunteers repaired his cleft palate. Since then, we have followed Diego throughout his childhood and were able to provide him with subsequent surgeries and other cleft care services as he grew and developed. Diego’s story has come full circle: after volunteering with GSF-Ecuador for several years, he is now employed by Global Smile Foundation as our Digital Media Coordinator.

Diego was the valedictorian of his high school class and graduated from the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana in Guayaquil in April 2019 with a degree in Social Communications and a specialty in Audiovisual Productions.  “GSF changed my life,” said Diego. “I am forever indebted to all the doctors who helped me. I am where I am today because of GSF. I want to give something back to my community in honor of what GSF has done for me.”