Submitted by Anna Ortiz, International Program Director June marks Cataract Awareness Month in the United States, but many may wonder why it exists in the first place. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S., with an estimated 25 million Americans aged 40 and older suffering from […]
Her life was hanging by a thread…
Her life was hanging by a thread. Literally.Modesta, a 56-year-old widow and mother of 5, lives in an impoverished region of Nicaragua. She cannot read or write. Since her husband’s death 3 years ago, she has struggled to keep herself and her children fed. She tries to gather corn and […]
National Doctor’s Day & How to Celebrate
Now more than ever, our world is looking to the strength and guidance of its physicians. Frontline health workers have been stretched thin and risk their own lives daily to ensure our communities are being vaccinated safely. Esperança has relied on the generosity of physicians for the past 51 years, […]
Chronic Disease is No Match for a Mother’s Love
The power of a mother’s love is enough to overcome any obstacle, but sometimes they need a little help. Valentina always knew her son Luis was special. He didn’t grow as fast as her other kids and never learned to speak. He needed help eating and walking, but she loved […]
Abner Went 15 Days Without His Epilepsy Medication – But No More!
At the age of 15 Abner was diagnosed with a weakened heart muscle and epilepsy. Doctors prescribed him 7 different medications to be taken daily to reduce his seizures and improve his quality of life.Unfortunately, in rural Nicaragua these medications are hard to come by and even harder to pay […]
Surgical Team Says “Goodbye” to 20 Years of Pain
20 years ago, when Francisca was elated with joy after having her first and only child, she had no idea the suffering that would ensue. From that moment on, she experienced abnormal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. Eventually, Francesca was unable to perform any of her household duties for the […]
International Translation Day
By Anna Ortiz, International Program DirectorOne of the most recently adopted United Nations resolutions, International Translation Day was established in 2017 to be celebrated every September 30th. This day pays tribute to bilingual professionals, generational interpreters, and anyone trying to bridge connections across language barriers.International Translation Day recognizes the work […]
Margarito is Living Hernia-Free Thanks to Esperança’s Volunteer Surgical Mission
Margarito Díaz González doesn’t live the life most of us picture for a 66-year-old.A native of El Tuma, Nicaragua, Margarito received up to a third-grade education before starting his life as a farmer. Many years and 10 children later, Margarito now works in the field as a farmer’s helper, bringing […]
Volunteer Spotlight – Juan Ramirez
Juan Ramirez is a Biomedical Equipment Technician III with Phoenix Children’s Hospital. He has always had a passion for service, but was unsure how to best use his expertise in a volunteer fashion. That is, until he encountered Esperança! In 2017, Juan was invited to join Esperança on a trip […]
Carlos is Starting on the Right Foot Post-Amputation
In July, a local restaurant owner called Esperança, sharing the story of an employee, Carlos, who recently had his left leg amputated following diabetes-related complications. Carlos has no insurance and the prosthetic would cost him $25,000 out of pocket. Looking to help her employee clearly in pain and struggling to […]
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