Rosaura Merecí is a 48-year-old Ecuadorian woman, a single mother who dedicates her life to caring for her daughter Poleth, a 25-year-old young woman with a severe intellectual disability. Poleth cannot walk, speak, or eat on her own and requires constant attention from her mother. Additionally, she suffers from epilepsy, especially when showing flu symptoms. Thanks to the medical care provided by Pan de Vida, Poleth’s condition has improved considerably, reducing the frequency of her episodes.
Rosaura and her daughter rely solely on a disability allowance provided by the government, which is insufficient to cover the high costs associated with Poleth’s care. As a mother who is completely dedicated to her daughter, Rosaura cannot work. The expenses for food, medications, and diapers are overwhelming, and since she doesn’t receive financial help from her ex-partner, she often has to make homemade diapers using fabric scraps, as she cannot afford to buy the three or four diapers Poleth needs daily.
Poleth follows a balanced diet prescribed by her doctors, tailored to her difficulty chewing. However, covering these costs has become a burdensome challenge for Rosaura.
In addition to the economic difficulties, Rosaura has also faced emotional pain, as her ex-partner abandoned her when he learned about Poleth’s condition. This has led her to express the need for psychological support, something that has been vital for her, as she has been alone in the parenting process.
Despite all these challenges, Rosaura has experienced God’s provision in a tangible way through the Pan de Vida Foundation. The foundation has provided support in various areas, including hot meal programs on Sundays, biblical teachings, toys for Poleth at Christmas, entrepreneurship training, clothing, groceries, adult diapers, medical care for both Poleth and Rosaura, and the much-needed psychological support.
One particularly significant moment for Rosaura was when her blender, essential for feeding Poleth, broke. It was nearly impossible for her to continue feeding her daughter without the blender. Thanks to God’s provision, through volunteers and donors, Pan de Vida was able to provide a new blender for her, which was truly a miracle for this family. Rosaura expresses her gratitude, stating that this donation was not only a response to a practical need but also a clear demonstration of God’s love and faithfulness toward her and her daughter.
Filled with hope, Rosaura says that through the help of Pan de Vida, her family has experienced God’s love and care in a real and tangible way. She knows she is not alone, and every day she thanks God for the provision and support received.
