Vanessa had her right eye surgucally removed in April 2002, following an accident. We met 18 year old Vanessa when she attended one of our medical clinics in Flores, Honduras. Following her visit, we were put in touch with Jahrling Ocular Prosthetics, Inc. of Boston, MA. Jahrling agreed to fabricate and fit Vanessa with an ocular prosthesis, pro-bono, in November 2003. After receiving her new eye, Vanessa was handed a mirror, and as she looked at her face for the first time, she exclaimed, “which is my real eye?” No longer would Vanessa have to live behind her long hair draped over her face, afraid to leave her home.

Esperanza continued to help Vanessa when she returned to Honduras by providing financial assistance for her education. Vanessa has taken a number of english classes and is nearly fluent in english.