Jose's Story of Dignity

The message that our friends in Cayambe share as our vision for the project is “Sembrando con amor la esperanza de una vida digna“ or “Sowing with love the hope for a dignfied life.” Our goal with our ministries is that each person that we minister to has a sense of dignity and even more that they feel valued and respected in who they are and their value to us as a human being. We want each person that we serve to feel respected and loved and for them to know that they have value to us. Our goal is to serve the recipients of our ministries with this end as our focus.

In fitting with this theme, we will be continuing an initiative that we started last year called Stories of Dignity. The point will be to share about the ministries that are being carried out in Cayambe and the greater Cayambe area over the next three months through story. Normally for us during this part of the year, the donations to the ongoing ministries slow down and so we hope that these stories will inspire you to help us to create even more stories in the future. We want you to remain encouraged by the ministries in Cayambe.

Today we are honored to share Jose’s* story with you. While it is a longer one we think you’ll want to read Jose’s full story as he told it to us.

“I am the father of six children, now adults, since all of them now have families of their own. Unfortunately, my wife died three years ago due to alcohol consumption. My name is Jose, I am 67 years old and it seems to me that misfortunes happen to people who are not to blame. 

My daughter Lisseth had an operation at the age of 12 for a heart murmur. She had waited many years for the surgery and once it happened we thought her medical problems would be over. After it was over though, she began to have many problems, she could not study anymore and in a few years, after an evaluation, she was diagnosed with an intellectual disability. As I understand it, the lack of attention to her medical issues early in life ended up affecting her intellectually, it makes her way of thinking different you could say. 

As she grew up we always tried to take care of her, respecting her development while also insisting she learn to do chores, to help around the house, to learn everything she could. She has always been so helpful and always respectful, even as she became an adult. She is 27 now. 

I don't have a stable job, when I get an opportunity to work, I take advantage of it. So, last year I had to go to Guayaquil for a temporary job. Unfortunately, at that time a neighbor sexually abused my daughter. I didn’t find out about this until we discovered, while dealing with her other health issues, that she was four months pregnant. Because of her disability my daughter didn’t know or understand or was unable to tell us what happened or to know that she was pregnant.

When my work in Guayaquil was over, I returned as soon as possible to take care of my daughter. At the end of the 9 months, Lisseth gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, whom we named Gabriel. When I held him in my arms for the first time, I couldn't help but think about the baby's future, how will we care for him, help him to grow, teach him, what should we do? None of the other children, his aunts and uncles, were able to take over his care at that time, they all had their own things to worry about.

 I wanted to keep the baby, however, I am old. I have to work and I will not be able to take care of him forever, who would look out and care for him and for my daughter when I die?

Soon the authorities found out because a doctor from the health center in my town notifies the authorities, and they helped us determine a custody arrangement so that my other daughter, who still lives with us, can take care of Gabriel. Even with the arrangement, there were still so many questions to be answered and baby Gabriel was clearly confused. I think he was very sad and angry too. 

During this time they began to visit us from the FACE foundation, they explained everything we had to do, they also listened carefully to us when we shared what happened and our pain and our shame. It was then that I realized that I am still very angry at what they did to my daughter, who is most vulnerable. I find it outrageous and unfair. 

As soon as we entered this program they were immediately advising us quite well. Now I understand many things that maybe I should have done before but I didn't know. I am also learning how to let go of what I did not know to do at the time. It cannot be undone. Most importantly, we now have a complaint in the prosecutor's office, so that at least things do not stay as if nothing happened, and so that these types of people can hopefully no longer do harm to others like my daughter. 

I know that all this help that is coming our way is the work of God, because he guides people to show us the way, and give us answers. I know things haven't been resolved yet, but at least I don't feel alone in these problems anymore.”

Will you be a part of creating more Stories of Dignity like Jose’s?

*Names are changed to protect the family’s privacy