HELPING HAND- DECEMBER 2010 LIDIA

Prepared by Isis

HELPING HAND RECIPIENT

Lidia Linarez Rivera is a 42 year old women with 3 children. Lidia, her husband and the 3 children live in Choluteca, Honduras.

HELPING HAND NEED

Lidia sells fast food dishes like Baleadas (a traditional dish in Honduras) pancakes, tacos, etc. Lidia has been working for a long time and struggling to support her family. Recently she was forced to quit as she does not have a working stove. Lidia desperatley needed a stove in order to provide for her family, which we were more than happy to provide for her. Lidia is now the proud owner of a new four-burner stove so that she may continue to cook and provide for her family.

THOUGHTS FROM LIDIA

"It is so amazing how prayers are answered. I have been praying by myself and as a family for help because of our money situation. I was really praying for help because I wanted to work again. I am so happy because I have my own stove that can go wherever I need it to, in order to provide for my family."

ADDITIONAL INFOA member of Lidia's church has provided a busy place outside of her clothing store where Lidia can set up and sell food, having the traffic of this new location will aid in Lidia's desire to continue to provide for her family and bring in more income.

HELPING HAND- NOVEMBER 2010 CECILIA

Prepared by Isis

HELP HAND RECIPIENT:
Cecilia Avendaño is a loving 87 year old woman who lives with her adoring husband Emilia. Cecilia has 2 children that live in the northern part of Honduras. Cecilia has be a loyal member of her church for 40 years. She currently works selling tortillas.

HELPING HAND NEED:
Four years ago like for Cecilia felt normal, she could walk, run and work without pain. That all changed when Cecilia suffered a fall while working outside. After a doctor visit she found out she had broken a bone in her hip and would need surgery. She proceeded with the surgery in hopes that she would feel better. Several weeks later the pain was still there so she returned to the doctor, only to find out that she would need another sugery. The two surgeries have made it very hard for Cecilia to move around without the help of her grandson and husband. Cecilia desperately needed a wheelchair, that we were happy to be able to provide to her.

THOUGHTS FROM CECILIA:

"You dont know how grateful I am to have a weelchair. I am so happy because now I can go to church and move around the house, before I was just sitting in my bed waiting for somebody to help me or to pass me something, but now I can do it all on my own!"

Helping Hand October 2010-Placida

Prepared by Isis

HELPING HAND RECIPIENT:
Placida Vanegas is a 70 year old woman living in Choluteca Honduras. Placida lost her husband over 17 years ago. Without resources or family that is able to help her, certain necessities have been hard to obtain.

HELPING HAND NEED:
Placida has a true need for a good bed as she has been very uncomfortable with her current situation which has not been good for her health or her body. Providing a mattress and a blanket is a simple outreach that will help Placida, making life and sleep a little more comfortable.

THOUGHTS FROM PLACIDA:
After my husband died, my daughter moved away and I have not had contact with her. I am grateful for my neighbors who have provided meals to me as I cannot work; they are very kind. I thank you for doing this for me. I was in real need of the mattress and the blankets make the cold nights a little easier. God bless you and your factory.

Helping Hand September 2010- Sipriana

Prepared by Isis

HELPING HAND RECIPIENT:

Sipriana Montes is a 65 year old widow. She has 5 children and is currently living with her grandson. Sipriana sells cashew seed and tortillas to make a living.

HELPING HAND NEED:

Shortly after Sipriana's husband died, her house was destroyed by heavy rain. Sipriana did receive some help to begin to rebuild her home but it was not finished. In order to help Sipriana return home Grandway helped to finish a portion of the home so that Sipriana could move out of her grandson's home and back into a place of her own.

THOUGHTS FROM SIPRIANA:

"Since my husband passed away I have been alone, I have my children but it is not the same and when my house was collapsed by the rain I was so devastated. Since then, I have been praying a lot for a house and know I have it, I feel so happy for that. I had been living with my grandson but the house is to small and they have 4 children. I didnt feel good taking space in their house. Thank you so much to all of you , God bless you."

STATEMENT FROM GRANDSON:

"I loved having my grandma in my house. Yes, my home is small but the important is that she is with us and I could help her. I thank God that my grandmom was not inside the house when it collapsed. We are so happy for her. She was always talking of having her own house house and she never lost her faith. Our grandmother has been so sad since our grandfather past but now with her new home we can see a smile on her face. We know that God answers prayers and my grandmom is a good example of it."

HELPING HAND- AUGUST 2010 ALMA

PREPARED BY ISIS

HELPING HAND RECIPIENT:
Alma Jeaneth Perez Cruz is a 14 years old girl who cannot speak or walk. She lives in Choluteca, Honduras with her two sisters. The three girls were abandoned by their parents & are now raised by Reymunda & Bernardo. One day Raymunda & Bernardo went to the river & saw the 3 girls there. Alma was 2, Lourdes Jasmira was 1, and Kenia Marsela was just 3 months old. They welcomed the girls into their home & have taken care of them ever since. Alma doesn’t speak but she can understand what others are saying which often leads to Alma laughing, which is very endearing to see.

HELPING HAND NEED:
Alma Jeaneth had a wheelchair that she grew out of & unfortunately the family is unable to get a wheelchair that is the appropriate size for Alma. In order to get around Alma has to crawl on the floor, so the need for this wheelchair is great. Grandway's Helping Hand will be providing a wheelchair that is the appropriate size for Alma to hopefully make life a little easier for the whole family & provide Alma with some new opportunities & experiences that she deserves.

THOUGHTS FROM REYMUNDA (Foster mother):
“I felt so sad when I saw the 3 girls down the river, I took them to my house. I do know who their mother is but she doesn’t care about them. She has never come to my house to see how they are. I am not their real mom but I love them like my daughters. I don’t have a good job but I am so grateful for you because my Alma is heavy & I cannot hold her, but with the wheelchair I can take her with me while I am working washing clothes.”

STATEMENT FROM JASMIRA (Alma's Sister):
“I love my sister & I like to be around her. She is so happy playing; I like to make her laugh. When I get home from school the first thing that I do is to see my sister and see how she is doing. I love to help her. Now that she has a wheelchair I can take her with me & she will be able to see others things. Thanks for help my sister!”

HELPING HAND- JULY 2010 MARTINES FAMILY

Prepared by Family Solutions- Isis

HELPING HAND RECIPIENT: The Martines Family-This is a beautiful family of 5 living in Choluteca, Honduras. The mother's name is Maria and her three daughters are Bessy (10), Emilia (7) and Kenia (2). They also have Maria's father Rufina living with them. Maria's husband left the family 2 years ago.

HELPING HAND NEED: The Martines Family is very poor and recently moved to Choluteca hoping to improve their opportunities and flee some mistreatment. Maria has some health issues that will not allow her to do strenuous work. In their simple "makeshift" home, they only have 1 bed for all 5 family members Grandway's Helping Hand project will purchase additional beds and bedding so the family can be more comfortable and have some basic needs that they deserve. Even though their conditions are humble, this simple need being fulfilled will help improve their quality of life.

THOUGHTS FROM BESSY (10): "I just want to help my Mom and family. I know my mother is sick so I go to school in the morning and in the afternoon my mom boils corn and I go out to the street, house by house selling corn. I dont sell a lot, but I sell enough to have food for our home. I miss my father...."

STATEMENT FROM MARIA: "Thank you. I am grateful and you have made our family so happy. This is a miracle for us. We never thought we would have beds because we are very poor. I know that God works through people and he has sent your group to help my family. Thank you again and God bless you. I will try to go to church and I know God will bless my family.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The house the family lives in is somewhat temporary. They live on the side of the street and just built the house from material they could find. The mayor of the city told them they could live their for a few years and he would try to help them find another home in the future. Grandway will keep an eye on this family's situation.

Maria's father also does work for the local church and the church gives him food to help feed his daughter and grand daughters.

HELPING HAND- JUNE 2010 LENAR CARBALLO

Prepared by FAMILY SOLUTIONS-Isis

HELPING HAND RECIPIENT-

Lenar Carballo is a fun loving ambitious 8 year old boy, living in Choluteca Honduras. He lives with his mother and two sibilings. Lenar's father left his mother when his mother was still pregnant with her third child. His mother is a seamstress in the Grandway sewing facility and is a reliable and good employee.

HELPING HAND NEED-
Lenar has a rare form of blood cancer that can be treated & stabilized with a specialized medicine for a few months. This medicine is very expensive & his family cannot afford the cost. His outlooks is positive as long as he has access to this much needed medicine. His treatment will be supervised by the local resident physician.

THOUGHTS FROM LENAR-

Lenar is very special boy and he likes to play with his friends and family. Although he is only 8 years old, he has great faith and dreams. He said he wants to be well so he can help with taking care of his little brother while his mother is working. He has a very kind heart.

STATEMENT FROM LENAR'S MOTHER-

“Thank you so much... I am really grateful for your help. I know my son will be alright. My whole family appreciates everything you are doing for my son...God will bless you forever.... Thank You”.