For many people around the globe, boarding a plane is no more out of the ordinary than taking a bus. But for an extraordinary team of people, this evening, boarding towards their final destination, Colombia, signals the start of an incredible journey that will see them trek in aid of the Cleft Lip and Palate Reconstruction Project, made possible through an incredible partnership between the SiGMA Foundation and .

The team has set off on a remarkable journey – a four-day Lost City Trek in the Sierra Nevada Forest in Colombia, where post-trek, the team will meet the kids benefitting from this campaign.

The itinerary towards finding hope

The 4-day long trek starts this Tuesday 23rd and on Monday the 29th, the team will spend the day at the Premium Care Kids Clinic for the official inauguration of the project. Kids who have already been operated on with funds already distributed and are fully recovered have been invited for the inauguration together with their families. Present on the day will also be a number of families whose child is due to have the corrective surgery this year and will have their consultation on the day.

No pain, no gain

The 4-day trek is not for the faint-heartened. The participants have been training hard for months to take on the challenge. From going on treks with 8 kg loads on their backs, to working their way into shape, Rocky style, up and down the 187 steps leading to Għajn Tuffieħa Bay (in Mġarr, Malta).

Anyone signing up for the trek had to commit to sponsoring one child, which meant raising Eur800 to fund one operation. However, many of the participants went completely beyond the call of duty. Various fundraising events were organised ranging from baking, fitness/spin classes, kayaking, bingo nights, school reunions and others. Funds have been collected for an impressive eighty operations.

Let’s work together to make a lasting impactJessie Busuttil, SiGMA Foundation Operations Manager.

Click on the names of the kids who have already benefitted to find out more about their story:

As the team embarks on their challenging four-day Lost City Trek through the Sierra Nevada Forest in Colombia, the significance of their journey extends far beyond the physical exertion and breathtaking landscapes they will encounter. This expedition, made possible through the extraordinary partnership between the SiGMA Foundation and Premium Care Kids, symbolises a collective commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of children affected by cleft lip and palate conditions.

Premium Care Kids

Premium Care Kids is a nongovernmental, nonprofit foundation based in Cartagena, Colombia. It is focused on providing gold standard treatment to children with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other conditions that can be cured through plastic surgery and comprehensive care. Surgeons Dr. Alex Campbell and Dr. Carolina Restrepo are recognized worldwide for their contributions to cleft lip and cleft palate surgery and have developed past projects that redefined numerous aspects of cleft care in developing regions.

The SiGMA Foundation provides anyone wanting to get involved with a voice to strive for the voiceless. Keith Marshall, Chief Philanthropy Officer at the SiGMA Foundation.

Get involved with the SiGMA Foundation

The SiGMA Foundation was founded in 2019 and is the philanthropic arm of SiGMA Group with a mission to empower underserved individuals and communities around the world through fundraising activities, charity work, education programmes, and skills training. Find out more here.