MAKING A DIFFERENCE
By Clarissa Fuentes, Executive Director

(pictured from left to right, Andres, Adrian, and Clarissa)

It was another shop offering something newbies in town need, plastic ware: a laundry basket, a dust pan, a dish drainer. This shop was made for us! We exchanged formalities with the shopkeeper.

“Who do you work for?” Doña Vivi asked.
“Salud y Paz”
“That’s not the one with the clinic in Camanchaj is it?”
“Why yes, it is?  Do you know of it?”
“They are the ones who operated on my mother’s eyes,” she stated with tears in her own eyes.  “She had cataracts for years until the doctors at Salud y Paz did surgery to remove them.”

I tried hard not to swell with pride while celebrating her mother’s wellness.  However, inside me stirred all kinds of emotions. In our very first day in Panajachel, I was already bearing witness to stories of restoration that involved Salud y Paz.

The theme for the last few weeks has continued to be restoration. Salud y Paz is not just about restoring eyesight. The work we have, and that teams and donors engage in, is a holy work of restoration: restoration to healthy life; restoration to faith in a health facility and an educational institution; restoration to financial well-being; restoration of families because when one is sick, the whole family carries the burden. Last week I spoke with patients who came from as far away as two and a half hours to receive treatment. I visited the children’s classrooms, observing how they were accustomed to the rhythm of the school year and happy to be at the school they are so proud of.  Every day is full of possibilities for the patients of Salud y Paz and the students at Colegio Susana Wesley.

These are exciting times of growth and transition for Salud y Paz!  I am delighted to join a team so dedicated to improving the lives of the people in their communities.  I celebrate restoration with Dona Vivi and all others whose lives have been improved because of our common work. I personally thank you for being an important part of that work and invite you to continue your support for this vital organization!

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