Esperanca is a global health non-profit that provides life-changing programs to over 100,000 people a year. We provide poor children and families with surgical missions, training to grow nutritious food microbusinesses, building safe housing, access to clean water and preventing as well as treating diseases.

Sandy has worked as a nurse since 1987 and has experience in obstetrics, pediatrics, gynecology/urology, operating room nursing, pain management and plastic surgery. Currently, she’s with Tatum Highlands Medical Associates in Phoenix, AZ.  She is also recently completed her RNFA through the National Institute of First Assists.

Sandy has participated in three mission trips to Nicaragua with Dr. Foltz (nominee for AZ Business Magazine 2013 Health Care Award) and Esperança. She recalls how the conditions in Nicaragua are poor and the people there don’t have access to medical care or supplies.

Sandy and Dr. Foltz see about 30 cases a week during each mission trip.  Sandy collects medical supplies throughout the year to take on her trips and usually is able to obtain over $1,000 in donated supplies each trip.

“I like to work with Esperança because they are so organized and have such a good reputation,” says Sandy.  “The support staff on the ground in Nicaragua is wonderful too. Esperança makes good use of its resources. I have never seen a nonprofit who is such a good steward of their money and resources.”

In the 27 years that she has been a nurse, Sandy says she finds the medical mission trips the most rewarding because it allows her to get back to the basics and really focus on each patient.  Whereas, in the U.S., a nurse has plenty of office work and paperwork to accomplish each day too.

Thank you, Sandy for your hard work and commitment to our programs!

Guess what month it is… May and May is National Nurses month! We as an organization owe so much the nurses that volunteer for us and transform lives! This month we will be highlighting some of the most dedicated professionals and saying thank you for all that they have done to transform lives.

Recently, Esperança had surgical patient, Margarita Quezada from Nicaragua, visit the United States for a special surgery that would transform her life. Dr. Diane Sklar, a GYN surgeon who has volunteered with Esperança’s Volunteer Surgery Program for 8 missions, completed a surgical mission to Nicaragua in 2012 and met this particular patient for a consultation. She learned Margarita had previously suffered from a massive fibroid in her uterus for 7 years! She had surgery to remove the fibroid but because of the damage that the fibroid had caused she still was experiencing complications. Despite several operations, doctors were unable to repair the damage that the fibroid had caused. Dr. Sklar recommended that she come to the United States for the final procedure to repair her condition. Through your support, and the efforts of Dr. Sklar and Kaiser Permanente, the pro bono operation was scheduled. Esperança was able to arrange a medical visa for the operation, and Margarita’s life was going to be changed forever!

The fateful day arrived, and Margarita was on a flight to San Francisco in good spirits. The introduction to a major city like San Francisco was an eye opening experience for Margarita. Coming from the small village of San Rafael del Norte, she had never been to a city of this magnitude, let alone outside of her country. But, after many years of enduring debilitating health issues and several unsuccessful medical procedures in Nicaragua, she was prepared to face any challenge knowing that Esperança’s supporters were thinking of her. When Esperança first spoke about the possibility of creating this opportunity, she said that with her faith she knew that the doors would open and make it happen. Six months later, her faith was rewarded.

The first day in San Francisco was a flurry of doctor appointments and exams. The appointments passed with no complications or issues, and the next few days were spent exploring the city. The sights included the beach, visiting the Golden Gate Bridge and just exploring all that the city has to offer.

The night before surgery Margarita was nervous, but her commitment to transform her life allowed her to be at peace. She passed the time making a stack of homemade corn tortillas for her post-surgery meal. That night she slept well, and in the morning she packed a small bag of clothes and the essentials she would need for her stay at the hospital.

Margarita was calm as she headed to the hospital, and lightened the mood by making jokes about finding a husband in San Francisco. The Kaiser staff was prepped and ready for her, and she quickly moved from registration to preparation for surgery. She started to get a little nervous but calmed herself by quietly praying, and she remembered that Esperança volunteers and donors had been working together for the past six months to give her hope.

Her surgery took about five hours, Kaiser staff and Esperança staff waiting eagerly to hear the news. Was it successful? Is she okay? Five hours later, her surgery was complete, and Margarita’s long journey was rewarded. Her complications were a thing of the past and she was presented with a bouquet of flowers and smiling faces. Despite being in some pain and a little groggy, she asked, “Are these for me?” and held the flowers in her arms and returned a smile.

After two weeks of recovery, Margarita was able to return to her hometown 100% healed! Thank you to Dr. Diane Sklar, Dr. Robert Karoukian, Dr. Arturo Martinez and the Kaiser staff for transforming a life. What an incredible gift. Thank you everyone for your support, which allowed this amazing journey to become a reality!

More than fifteen students at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus in Mesa will abstain from modern-day luxuries and challenge themselves to live on two dollars a day and in cardboard-box houses outside the Student Union from April 11-13, 2013.

The Two Dollar Challenge, a national experiential learning exercise and poverty action program, is designed to give students an opportunity to step out of their daily lives and reflect on the challenges of living in poverty.

This challenge is different from the average charity drive for three reasons: it asks students to live by rules designed to simulate poverty, to raise funds for the cause of their choice and it gives them the experience to become passionate leaders in the eradication of global poverty.  The ASU students have selected to raise money for Esperança during the challenge.

“When our team of skilled doctors make volunteer medical mission trips to countries like Bolivia or Nicaragua, they are always shocked at the living conditions,” said Tom Egan, executive director, Esperança.  “To call attention to how thousands of people live globally is very important.  We’re honored to be a part of ASU’s Two Dollar Challenge and hope it brings awareness to poverty throughout this country and internationally.”

Good luck to those students participating and thank you for selecting us as your beneficiary!

For more information about how you can get involved or learn more please contact  Jared Leslie at jared@esperanca.org or call 602-252-7772