Las Varas, Honduras - 2008

At the age of 8, Suyapa was the oldest of 5 children whose parents died of AIDS. The children were left to live with a grandmother and an aunt who already had five children of her own. Together, they lived in a tiny mud stick house, with little food, no sanitation or clean water, and limited resources to care for so many children.

When we met Suyapa, her stomach was distended from parasites and she wore a hat to cover her hair that had started to fall out from malnutrition. Through our program, she and her siblings were given vitamins, while the whole family was taught about diet and provided food. In the following weeks and months, we visited frequently to encourage the family to continue taking vitamins and living a healthy lifestyle.

Not too long ago, we saw Suyapa, who is now a healthy 14-year old girl and taking over many of the chores around the house. She is now an active, beautiful young girl, a far cry from the child we once met.

Cristo Salva, Honduras

Update - February 12, 2010

Suyapa is now the mother of a healthy baby boy. She took prenatal vitamins during her pregnancy. Due to her age (15), Suyapa delivered in the hospital, but without any complications.