Miss World Guatemala meets patient she supported

David Lopez and his family are eternally grateful to Miss World Guatemala 2020, Hillary Mendoza and the Little Dreamers of Guatemala Foundation who have funded his ongoing treatment for life threatening body burns.

David suffered 90% burns to his body in May 2019. He accidently touched a broken electrical cord, whilst on route to visit his mother at work. His mother, Flor de María Paz discovered her unconscious son with smoke exhaling from his mouth and ears. They had a 10 hour ambulance journey from Petén to hospital in the Guatemalan capital. Doctors predicted no more than 7 hours for David to live. However, his family insisted that they kept his life support equipment on and, after three days, he regained consciousness. He proceeded to undergo 29 operations before he was able to go home on 18^th December.

David had an operation scheduled at the hospital in March. However, the Covid-19 pandemic halted this. David’s scars on his face therefore expanded, he had problems breathing and sleeping, amongst other complications, as a result of this.

The Little Dreamers of Guatemala Foundation, in collaboration with Miss World Guatemala 2020, learnt about David’s case when they were distributing supplies to Peten citizens at the start of the pandemic. Since March, this institution funded David’s medicine. Moreover, they organised surgery for David at the Shriners Hospital in the United States. They arranged a humanitarian visa for him, air tickets, local transportation and food costs to be covered.

David and his family are so thankful for the life-giving help that Hillary and The Little Dreamers Foundation have provided. Flor de Maria Paz says they wouldn’t be able to afford the costs otherwise. David was adamant that he would like to meet Miss World Guatemala to express his gratitude and immediately Hillary arranged this, before he travelled. She wished David every success with the procedures.