Giving children a chance to fully recover from devastating burns, the San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club, with help from San Clemente, and Laguna Niguel Rotary Clubs, and working with the Rotary Club of Santiago, Chile, has secured a $119,200 Global Grant to support COANIQUEM. This Chilean organization, known for providing free, comprehensive treatment to young burn victims, offers not just physical healing but a path to reclaiming their confidence and reintegrating into society. Through this initiative, thousands of children across Latin America, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, are being given the opportunity to heal, grow, and live normal, fulfilling lives.
Each year, COANIQUEM treats more than 8,000 children, most of them under the age of five and from low-income families. Burns in young children can be especially devastating, often affecting their ability to grow and develop normally. The specialized care COANIQUEM provides—including physical and occupational therapy, surgeries, and psychological support—ensures that these children not only recover physically but also emotionally and socially.
Rotary’s involvement with COANIQUEM has been a long-standing partnership. This latest Global Grant, spearheaded by SJC Rotarian Sergio Carvacho, will fund critical upgrades in medical equipment for physical and occupational therapy, as well as surgical tools and high-cost supplies necessary for complex procedures. From advanced devices like bio-impedance monitors to 3D scanners for compression therapy masks, this funding will allow COANIQUEM to continue delivering state-of-the-art care that minimizes the need for repeated surgeries and enhances recovery outcomes.
For many of these families, COANIQUEM's free services are a lifeline. The majority of patients come from disadvantaged backgrounds, where poor living conditions and limited access to education contribute to a higher incidence of burn injuries. By providing treatment at no cost, COANIQUEM alleviates a heavy financial burden while offering hope for a better future.
This project, backed by Rotary’s grant, will have a lasting impact on the lives of burn victims in Chile and beyond. By enhancing COANIQUEM's capacity to treat these children, Rotary is helping them heal—not just physically, but in every aspect of their lives.
Thank you, Ray, for highlighting this incredible initiative! The partnership between COANIQUEM and the Rotary Clubs is truly inspiring. The work being done to help young burn victims not only recover physically but also regain their confidence and thrive is nothing short of life-changing. It’s heartwarming to see such a collaborative effort making a real, lasting difference for these children and their families. Hats off to everyone involved in securing this Global Grant—it will have an impact that reaches far beyond borders! 🌟👏