I’d like to start 2025 with an inspiring story of resiliency, determination and hope about one of Esperanza’s students, Josue Martinez. I first met Josue almost 15 years ago, when he was a patient of Shriners Children’s Boston. When Josue was eight years old he was in a house fire, and burned over 75 percent of his body. Since then he has undergone nearly 70 operations.

His story was recently highlighted on Shriners Children’s Hospital’s website:

https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/news-and-media/patient-stories/2024/12/josue-burn-care-story

Esperanza and Josue are extremely grateful for Chris Worcester’s financial support which has allowed Josue to pursue his dream of studying at Universidad Politecnica de Honduras. He will be receiving his degree in Industrial Engineering later this year. Chris, a lifelong educator herself, wanted to support Josue’s passion and perseverance.

We are incredibly proud of Josue and all of his accomplishments. He seizes every day with optimism and embraces every opportunity he encounters. Josue has aged out of care at Shriners Children’s Hospital but we will be pursuing further treatment for him at Mass General Hospital.