FACES OF HOPE – A GERMAN MEDICAL TEAM HELPING CHILDREN IN LIMA

It is early morning as Dr. Erich Theo Merholz and his team rush through the hallways of Hospital Arzobispo Loayza in Lima. Silence still lingers in the corridors of the surgical department, but soon, the operating rooms will be filled with life. A total of 82 patients, from infants to adults, are waiting for a life-changing procedure.

Merholz and his team are part of a project based in Solingen, Germany: For years, the Peru Circle of St. Clemens Parish has been organizing medical missions in Peru, driven by the conviction that healthcare should not be a privilege but a fundamental right. Like many other humanitarian initiatives, their work starts small but has a profound impact. Dr. Merholz and his team, consisting of German and Austrian specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery, traveled to Peru’s capital again in late 2024. Their mission: to provide free surgeries for people born with cleft lips and palates. Most of their patients come from remote villages in the Andes, where specialized medical care is unavailable. Their journey to Lima often takes several days—a difficult and exhausting trip, fueled by hope.

A PROCEDURE THAT CHANGES LIVES

A six-month-old boy is carried into the examination room by his mother. His lips are cleft, making it difficult for him to drink. In just a few hours, he will undergo surgery. If everything goes well, this operation will mark the beginning of a new life for him—one without stigma or physical limitations. “This surgery means everything to us,” his mother whispers.

For many affected families, treatment in a private hospital would be unaffordable. Here in Lima, the operations are entirely free, made possible by partnerships with organizations such as Pro-Interplast Germany e.V., Interplast-Germany e.V., and Deutsche Cleft Kinderhilfe e.V. Donations cover the costs of medical supplies, flights, accommodations—and ultimately, a future for dozens of children and adults.

WORKING UNDER PRESSURE

This mission demands a lot from the medical team. The conditions at Hospital Arzobispo Loayza are challenging: limited resources, a high number of patients, and tight schedules. “We work from early morning until late at night. The pressure is immense. But the moment a child smiles for the first time after surgery—it makes everything worth it,” says Dr. H. Sarah Neering, one of the surgeons on the team.

Modern equipment is a distant dream. However, what the team lacks in technology, they make up for with skill, dedication, and an unwavering belief in a future without exclusion. These surgeries not only change appearances but also improve patients’ ability to speak, eat, and breathe. “One of the most impressive aspects was the support from the local community and medical staff. Together, we worked toward a long-term improvement in healthcare,” says Dr. Merholz.

THE POWER OF HUMANITY

After the final successful surgery, hands are shaken, tears are shed. Parents embrace the doctors, and the youngest patients are already playing again before their long journey home. Gratitude fills the air like a soft echo of the past days. “This mission is one of the most meaningful experiences of my life,” says Dr. Neering.

The project, which has been running since 2001 in partnership with the Diocese of Huamachuco in the Andes, will continue. The agreement with the hospital has been extended until 2030, ensuring future missions. “The gratitude and hope in the eyes of the patients and their families are incredibly moving and reaffirm our commitment,” says Dr. Merholz. What is happening in Lima is more than medical aid. It is a testament to solidarity, a bridge between continents, and, above all, proof that humanity knows no borders.