hope for the children

Update on Ostin

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Ana and Ostin

This afternoon I received a text message from Peggy Kipps (Ruth Paz Foundation) that the long awaited drug (OK-432) has safely arrived from Japan. I was filled with both excitement and relief, and immediately called Ana (Hernandez) to share the news. Tom, Ana and I had been discussing this case last night because Ostin’s mother, Carla, had called to say Ostin was having more difficulty breathing. Tom was concerned that his fear Ostin would suffocate, was becoming a reality.

Ana, her sister, and a doctor from Flores went to Ostin’s house to share the news that help was on its way. The extended family gathered round, rejoicing in praise, for answered prayers.

Peggy is now in the process of coordinating with Dr. Lopez and the hospital administration for Ostin’s arrival. It is expected that he will be initially hospitalized for 4-5 days. His family anxiously awaits word for when they need to head to San Pedro Sula…and we will be there every step of the way. We are filled with gratitude that this little baby will have a chance at life.

Bien viaje, Jose!

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Ricky, Jose, and Laura

Bright and early this morning, little Jose boarded an American Airline flight to return to his home in Honduras. He was accompanied by Airline Ambassador, Ina Melen who volunteers her time escorting children traveling alone.

Jose had been hospitalized at Shriners Hospital in Boston after suffering burns from a container of hot molasses. Once again, Shriners transformed this little boy’s life in a matter of weeks. The first time we visited Jose, he was behind plastic on the acute care unit. Yesterday, we joined his going away celebration and delighted in watching Jose, full of giggles, running around the physical therapy room.

Recently, Jose has been living with the Sierra family in Boston. When children are ready for outpatient visits to the clinic and don’t have a place to stay locally, the Sierra family has offered their home. Second to receiving state-of-the-art medical care, the experience of living with a loving family is invaluable. Children have the opportunity to develop physically when they are not in the confines of a hospital setting. They also benefit emotionally by being embraced by people who care. Host families have the opportunity to share a bit of their cultures, as well as, offering new experiences that Honduran children never would have had. Often times, host families continue to be an integral part of the children’s lives, and keep the relationships strong by phone calls and visits. Certainly, the patient isn’t the only one who benefits, host families often comment that it is one of the most meaningful experiences in their lives.

Not everyone has the availability to be a host family but you can still be actively involved by visiting children who are hospitalized locally. Esperanza has an ongoing need of large size suitcases, duffle bags and small carry-on suitcases for the children traveling home. Other appreciated items include: new underwear, gently worn clothing, small toys, Spanish books and MP3 players.

Everyone has the chance to bring a smile to a child…and I guarantee it will do the same for you!

A New School Year Will Soon Begin

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School shoes
February marks the beginning of the school year in Honduras. School is provided free of charge by the government but not the school supplies or uniforms, which are mandatory. Six volunteers from Esperanza will soon be traveling to Honduras with duffle bags full of school supplies and we are still in great need of black school shoes in any sizes.

Honduran children living in severe poverty take an average time of 9 1/2 years to complete the sixth grade. There are many reasons for this including children having to leave school to help support their families, teachers being on strike, and others simply lacking the resources.

Stores currently stocking these shoes include: Pay Less, Target and Walmart. Please consider donating one pair of shoes and giving one deserving child the opportunity to attend school this year. No child should be left behind…

Waiting For Hope

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Ostin

Yesterday I received  fantastic news from Mrs. Peggy Kipps of The Ruth Paz Foundation that the first step for obtaining life saving medicine for baby Ostin has been accomplished! Peggy gave the credit to her co-worker, Paola, who has been working tirelessly for the past several weeks with the foundation’s lawyers and goverment officials.

Ostin was born with a congenital malformation called a “lympangioma.” At birth it was only thumb size, but it grew at an alarming rate and doctors were concerned he would suffocate. Surgery was deemed too risky and the alternative treatment is to inject the area with a drug called “OK-432.” Unfortunately, it is not FDA approved in the U.S. and only available in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

The Honduran government has now agreed to allow the medication to be imported into their country, and the necessary permit will be provided to the drug company. This drug is very temperature sensitive and requires specific shipping requirements, and we anxiously await its safe arrival.

Thankfully, Ostin continues to hold his own and awaits at home with his worried family. Please hold Ostin in your thoughts and join us in waiting for hope.

What Is So Captivating?

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Honduran Rainbow

Often times I find myself in conversations about Honduras. People seem intrigued that we go “there” and wonder what we “do” and…”why?” I have never felt that I could adequately explain my answer…my usual responses are: “because of the people”, “our hearts were captivated” or “it just feels like what we should be doing.” But it’s more than that…it is a part of my being.

Sadly, Honduras has become more dangerous over the years and this month the Peace Corps will be removing their volunteers. Others ask me, “will you still go back?” And the answer is, “yes.” Our relationships are too deep and important to not return. People are depending on us and we value the impact we can make.

I need to follow my heart…and don’t want fear to deter me.

A Time To Reflect

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As the end of 2011 approaches, I find myself reflecting on the past year. Certainly our work in Honduras continues to be one of our highest priorities and greatest blessings. There are hundreds of memories, and just as many pictures, to remind us of all the wonderful people who have touched our lives.

Without a doubt, one of the greatest experiences was being introduced to baby Berenice.  This little girl captured our hearts the moment she arrived in our home. And the bond grew incredibly strong as we prepared for her cardiac surgery, stayed with her during the heart catheterization and open heart surgery, and welcomed her back home while she recovered.  During this time, we  were fortunate to be in the hands of talented and compassionate doctors and nurses at Tufts Medical Center. We have also been welcomed into Berenice’s family and given the nicknames of “Mamita Emily” and “Papita Tom.”

Over the past 11 years we have been introduced to many Honduran children and they have all made an impact in our lives. We’ve had the chance to spend significant amounts of time with several children and really do love them like family. However, having the responsibility of caring for a sick child in a vulnerable condition, and being able to continue that relationship afterwards, is one of the most intense feelings I have ever experienced.

Looking forward to the privilege of meeting more children and cherishing the ones we do know. Happy New Year!

Thank You

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Thank You from Esperanza

Dear Esperanza Supporters,

We’d like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for your financial and moral support. We are truly grateful for your faith in our work and sharing our vision of helping others in need. Together we can make a difference in the lives of many. May you all enjoy the holiday season and have a happy and healthy 2012.

Our gratitude to all,

Tom, Emily, Ana and Ricky

‘Tis The Season For Giving

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Interested in making a donation this holiday season? Looking to donate in someone’s name as a gift? Please consider Esperanza, it’s through your support that we are able to help these amazing children in Honduras. Happy Holidays!

You can donate online in our How to Help section

Searching For Help

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Earlier this week, I received the medical information for Nelly Fernandez, from Mrs. Peggy Kipps, Executive Director of The Ruth Paz Foundation in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Twenty-two month old Nelly suffers from “Fibromatosis Infantile” and is in URGENT need of help to remove the large tumor in her abdomen. And so the process begins of finding an interested doctor and hospital who will be able to provide medical care at a reduced amount, and an interested party in providing the financial support. Here’s hoping for a successful outcome.

Please keep little Nelly in your thoughts.

Giving Thanks

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This past Wednesday, Tom and I arrived home safely from Honduras. When we first arrived for our month long stay, Ana was apprehensive and expressed her concern that we would become “bored” (not a chance!) and “fall more in love with the children” (absolutely correct!).

Our time went by more quickly than we could have imagined. Along with treating high priority medical cases, working within the local medical community and interfacing with various agencies, we also had time to really go “deeper than the surface” with some particular families.

Not only did we  join all our neighbors in the daily quest for clean water (generally available 2-3 hours per day), we also witnessed their struggle of trying to feed their families on the bare minimum (ie. one pound of chicken feet for 50 cents, for a family of five), and then there were the more “luxurious ” obstacles of obtaining necessary medicine or school supplies. It was exhausting and enlightening.

One of the greatest blessings was meeting with Ms. Lourdes Pena, a local psychologist. She is a dynamic woman, filled with compassion, insight and knowledge.  Meeting with Lourdes gave us the opportunity to express our visions for Esperanza, and she was able to share her knowledge of the Honduran culture and the realities of life in the Third World. Lourdes will be there to provide Ana with emotional support who we acknowledge has the most difficult position of all. We are able to “escape” back to the States, but Ana is the one who everyone seeks out, looking for help from the “Americans.” Often times, it is Ana who has to say “no” and turn people away, trying to protect us from “burning out.”  Lourdes is working with some of our patients who are in need of evaluations and further counseling so that we can really get to the root of their issues and how to address them.

Thanksgiving is in two days, and I find myself even more aware of all the things I have to be thankful for…family, friends and health are always at the top. Certainly, I will be overwhelmed by the abundance of food, and reflecting back to the empty fridge above and many harsh reminders of living in poverty. I will try not to dwell on it, and be thankful that Tom and I have found “our purpose” and are fortunate enough to be living our dream…can’t imagine  life without Honduras.