William, 52 years old, has a cataract problem that has worsened due to his type II diabetes, which has caused him to lose considerable vision. The only solution for his condition is surgery, but he has been waiting for this intervention for many years, to the point where he can barely distinguish shadows now.
William had a stable job as a cook, but due to this health issue, he had to leave that job, as he faced the risk of cutting or burning himself on several occasions. Since then, he has had to dedicate all his time to recycling activities to cover his expenses, especially rent. These visual limitations prevent him from performing many daily activities and have been a barrier to finding new employment. Due to the lack of resources, he has been forced to sell all his household items, including his kitchen and refrigerator, so now he only has a small, broken electric pot to prepare his food.
Unfortunately, William has no family or institutional support network to help or accompany him during this difficult time. As a result, his emotional health has been greatly affected, as economic problems, his health condition, and his living situation have caused him a lot of stress and depression, adding to his already complicated situation.
When we met William, Pan de Vida provided him with immediate assistance in the form of food, clothing, medicine, and medical care to ensure he had psychological support and to assess his health condition. Additionally, we sought tools to support him, and we had the opportunity to donate a kitchen to him, which not only gives him a space to prepare his meals but also symbolizes our commitment to work for those in greatest need. Currently, we are exploring the possibility of helping him with his surgery through cooperation with another institution so that he can improve his vision and thus achieve a better quality of life.
For Pan de Vida, William is a source of inspiration and a clear example of resilience and perseverance. Despite his situation, he maintains a strong desire to overcome it and strives for it every day. He expresses that “his faith in God has been fundamental in coping with difficulties, giving him the strength and hope needed to move forward.” We are filled with joy to see how William continues to grow in faith, deepening in the Word, and we accompany him on that journey.
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
