HELPING HAND- FEBRUARY 2011 AARON

Meet the Escalante Family:
Noemi Escalante is a diligent worker from Choluteca, Honduras, who works out of her home as a seamstress, her husband works as a mechanic. They are the loving parents to a five-year old named Aaron. Both parents work hard to provide for their family, however, the money they make is only enough for daily sustenance.

Helping Hand Need:
During our visit with the Escalante’s, we learned the story of Aaron Escalante. Twenty one days after being born, Aaron experienced an extremely high fever and his parents took him to see the local doctor. They gave his some medicine and sent him home. About an hour after leaving the doctor, Aaron started experiencing seizures. His parents rushed him to Tegucigalpa (Capital of Honduras), where they felt they could better assess his situation. After many tests it was determined that Aaron had a condition called Microcephaly which led to Meningitis, doctors gave him one hour to live. Aaron survived but this infection left Aaron with the inability to walk.

Grandway’s Helping Hand:

Prior to surgery, Aaron’s legs were locked in the form of a cross and Aaron faced excruciating pain. In December of 2010 Aaron had a surgery stretching his leg muscles and alleviating some of his pain. Doctors have taken the casts off, and told Aaron he needed an orthopedic instrument to keep the legs from returning back to the way they were. Grandway Honduras provided this loving family with support and an orthopedic instrument making it easier for his mother to bathe and clean Aaron.Thoughts from Noemi and Lucio Escalante:
“Before the surgery we struggled with understanding God’s purpose, we couldn’t afford to buy the instruments Aaron needed to walk. In the end God has worked in many ways allowing us to meet you. Our baby Aaron, who we love dearly, has been the best gift God could have given us. We are so appreciative in your help.”

HELPING HAND-JANUARY 2011 WENDY

Prepared by Isis

HELPING HAND RECIPIENT
Wendy Giron is a hard worker from Choluteca, Honduras, who works out of her home as a seamstress, and her husband works from home as a home builder. They have 4 children; Josselin (12), Nayeli (9), Kristian (6) and Leonardo (2). The children enjoy spending time with their family. Both parents work very hard to provide for their family however, the money they make is only enough for daily sustenance. They don't have additional money to help improve their quality of life.

HELPING HAND NEED
While visiting the Giron's, we discovered the home they lived in was in extremely poor condition. The home was lacking an essential water connection. The Giron's would often have to borrow drinking water from their neighbor, and travel to the river to do laundry. Also the children's beds were in horrible condition, the boxed springs were worn and broken. We provided this loving family with a water connection and provided beds for the children. The family now has clean water to use for drinking and laundry. We were also able to help them by providing beds for the children. Now the children are able to sleep comfortably.

THOUGHTS FROM WENDY
"For years I never thought someone could help our situation. Each day I had to walk to the river to do laundry and borrow drinking water from our neighbor. I am so grateful for the help you have given our family."

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!”