Jose Luis: A Journey of Transformative Care with Global Smile Foundation
Jose Luis began his journey with Global Smile Foundation (GSF) in 2010 when, at just four months old, his family brought him to the Benjamin Bloom Hospital in San Salvador. His family sought a healthier and more hopeful future for their baby.
That year, Jose Luis underwent his first surgery to repair his cleft lip. The following year, he returned for a cleft palate surgery—an essential step in ensuring he could eat, speak, and thrive like any other child. But his journey didn’t stop there. Over the years, Jose Luis has undergone three additional surgical procedures, each one helping to refine and improve both function and appearance. Beyond surgery, he has also received dental care and speech therapy, key components of the comprehensive approach that GSF provides to ensure that our patients thrive.
GSF’s ability to offer long-term multidisciplinary cleft care throughout a child’s developmental years leads to the best outcomes. The result of this dedication is evident in Jose Luis’s bright and confident smile.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is the deep connections we build with our patients and their families. Many of our volunteers return to the same locations year after year. Watching Jose Luis grow up has become a highlight of our annual mission to El Salvador. His journey reminds us why we do what we do—because every child deserves the chance to smile, speak, and embrace their future without limitations.
Thanks to the unwavering commitment of our team, donors, and partners, children like Jose Luis receive the care they need to reach their full potential. His story is just one of many, but it stands as a testament to what is possible when expertise, compassion, and long-term care come together to transform lives.
