Showing Up
Maria looked like most other girls her age when she sat down in front of me for her yearly health visit. She seemed a bit more mature, but a lot of young Kichwa girls her age do because she is responsible for caring for other siblings. She answered the questions I asked appropriately, but seemed distracted. I asked if she was OK and she said yes. I asked if her parents were around and she said yes, her mom was with one of her other younger siblings who was having their yearly health visit as well. She also had a younger sibling with her. Her sibling seemed distracted in a very innocent and kid-like way, like Maria had been protecting her from something and her innocence was not nearly as child-like and free as her sibling. I went through more questions, my exam and everything appeared normal. But towards the end of the visit, like I have had in the past at different times, there seemed to be a nudging, a gut-feeling, a “go a little deeper” kind of sensation. So, I did. Because it was toward the end of the visit, I had built a little repour and asked what home was like. She didn’t really answer. I asked if she felt safe at home. Her eyes just got a little wider like a cord had been struck. She ever-so-slightly shook her head no. I asked how she felt unsafe. She said that her parents fought a lot and she was always scared. After she said this to me, she seemed more relaxed. Maybe she had been planning it. Maybe she was waiting for an opening. I am very so thankful that I listened to that nudging.
Even just a few years ago, helping her in any kind of tangible way would have been difficult, complicated and taken a long time. But because of the intervention and prevention programs and the medical caravans as outreach of the medical clinic, Maria doesn’t have to be afraid anymore. We were able to talk with our staff and a date was set up to visit the family. It was presented to Maria’s mom that it was a “check in” and follow-up and time to pray with them. Which it is, but it is also a time to go deeper in to the family and try to help. I was able to tell Maria that we could help. I got to tell her how brave she was for telling me and wanting to get help for her family.
Do you ever wonder why The Santiago Partnership and the Ecuador team continue to show up every day? It is for young girls like Maria. We don’t want them to live in fear another day if there is something we can do.
Help us continue to show up and continue stories of intervention and help.
Our stories of impact continue into May. We are now ONLY lacking about $3,000 to raise as soon as possible to complete our operating funds transfer to the project for this quarter. CAN YOU HELP US REACH THIS GOAL?? You can provide a one-time donation here:
**The name of Maria in this story has been changed due to the sensitivity of the situation and those pictured here are not Maria or her family.
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