Making a future possible

PazSalud met Sandra in 2012 when she came to our General Medical Mission in San Jose Villanueva.  She was born with arthrogryposis; a congenital disease characterized by joint contractures and muscle weakness.  When we met Sandra she was eleven years old, and very limited in activities: she had never been in school.  Sandra had been abandoned by her mother at birth and was living with her grandmother, who took her to physical therapy when she could afford the bus fare, but didn't try to enroll her in school because of Sandra's physical limitations.  Sandra's family has very limited resources - there is no electricity in the home, but plenty of loving and supportive family members.

Happily Rosy Melara, a Salvadoran nurse who has been a long-term volunteer with PazSalud mentioned to  PazSalud’s then in-country coordinator, Sr. Susan Dewitt, that she had a degree in special education, and soon Rosy had volunteered to teach Sandra the basics - learning her letters and how to write.   Rosy found that Sandra was bright and eager to learn, but also that her physical limitations tired her out very quickly.  We decided that Sandra needed a tutor who would assist her in the classroom with writing, studying and achieving.  Happily, the local school's director was enthusiastic about having Sandra enter first grade, and even helped us find a tutor with an education degree.  For the first time in her life, Sandra had a chance.  Here she is with (left to right) Rosy Melara, Sandra's tutor Sonia, and Kathy Garcia and with some of her classmates.  

This chance was made possible by a generous donation from PeaceHealth's Rosanne Ponzetti and her family who committed to sponsoring a child.  They provide the funds needed to pay for Sandra's transportation to physical therapy and her individual tutor. Sandra's class work was helped greatly by a desk that can be adjusted to different levels so she can work either sitting or standing.  Sandra's personal school desk was hand-made for her by In-Country Coordinator Darren Streff.  Sandra has now graduated from first grade with high marks, and is moving along in school.

Simple, affordable donations like these can make a huge impact on someone's life in El Salvador and PazSalud is proud to facilitate this type of empowering opportunity.  If you'd like to work with Sandra or any of our other deserving Salvadoran children, please contact Kathy Garcia in Eugene.