Cerniquem

“The centre offers free treatment for children from low income families who have suffered burns in the family home.”

Project Co-ordinator: Rosie Bichard
Location:  Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Amount:£23,000

COMPLETED in 2011

Summary

• Young people suffer burns in developing countries due to children looking after younger siblings, methods of cooking and a lack of education.
• Cerniquem is Bolivia’s leading centre for the treatment and rehabilitation of young burn victims.
• La Vida co-funded the purchase of equipment for a reconstructive plastic surgery unit.

Description of Project

La Vida has helped to acquire the surgical equipment needed for a treatment centre for young burns victims in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (Cerniquem). This has added to Cerniquem’s existing expertise in burns treatment and rehabilitation, as well as accident prevention, to mean children can receive more rapid and effective specialist care, aiding their prospects for recovery.

Many thousands of children in Bolivia suffer burns accidents every year through a lack of basic safety awareness and being left unattended by their parents while they go out to work. This is particularly true among lower-income families. Cerniquem aims to give young burn victims free treatment and also to educate parents and children about accident prevention.

We raised £23,000 for Cerniquem at a dinner organised by Deutsche Bank’s London-based Retail team. This has enabled them to purchase much needed plastic surgical equipment, including anaesthetic, operating and post-operative equipment.  These new surgical unit will enable Cerniquem to offer reconstructive plastic surgery for seriously injured children, to reduce delays in surgery and to improve prospects for recovery. This will facilitate positive the physical and social change for over 1,000 children over the next 7-10 years by providing access to faster and specialised services.

This project was funded alongside the Angus Lawson Memorial Trust.