Maria, 50 years old, lives in Quito with her children, Karla, 30 years old, Marco, 28 years old, Jinmy 19 years old, and Jennyfer, 12 years old. She also shares a limited space and income with Karla’s two children, Joselyn, 13 years old, and Alexander, 9 years old.
Two of Maria’s children, Jinmy and Jennyfer, have intellectual and physical disabilities. Jinmy’s disability makes it difficult for him to work, and he is not able to help provide for the family. Jennyfer needs constant care. Her mother and siblings help her to eat, bathe, and change her diapers. This makes it difficult for them to work, as she cannot be left alone. Because both Maria and Karla are single mothers, it is difficult for them to find consistent work. The family’s main source of income is government benefits. However, these are limited as well. Only Jennyfer and Karla recieve benefits, and these are small too.
When she can, Maria works by cleaning houses or selling goods on the street, but these are often not enough to afford to pay for the family’s needs. For example, diapers or quality food, or medicine for Jennyfer. At times the hospital does not even have it, and the family must look for outside sources to find the medication that she needs.
Even though the family has faced a great deal of challenges, they show strength in their support of each other and their desire to increase their quality of life. Being a caregiver takes a lot of patience and selflessness, something that this family has exemplified well. Please join Pan de Vida in supporting this family by showing them the love that Christ first gives us. The foundation plans to provide support through donations of groceries and medical appointments, as well as to meet more specific needs when possible.
