Living in poverty is discouraging, but even more difficult when you have a sick child.
Rogelia is a single mother of four in Oaxaca, Mexico. One of her daughters, Jolet, suffers from a chronic medical condition and will need medication all her life.
Jolet was born with congenital hypothyroidism, a severe thyroid condition that can impair neurological functions and lead to physical deformities. With medication, Jolet can live a healthy life, but Rogelia had to find a way to afford it while raising her children on her own.
A Mother’s Enterprising Spirit
Several years ago, Rogelia came up with the idea to prepare foods and water-based drinks to sell. This enterprise allowed her to earn the money she needed to care for her home, her children, and Jolet’s medication.
Every morning, Rogelia and her children rise before the sun to prepare tacos, empanadas, tamales, atole, and fruit-flavored waters to sell at a nearby school during the week. On the weekends, they sold tamales and atole to neighbors.
But the Pandemic closed the school, making it almost impossible for Rogelia to support her family and afford her daughter’s medication. Rogelia and her children tried to move their business to the middle of the city, but sales were still too low.
Healing Waters Steps in to Help
That is when Healing Waters International learned about Rogelia and her family. In 2019, HWI installed a safe water system in her community. This alleviated the strain of poverty for many families, including Rogelia’s.
But HWI wanted to do more to help this hard-working single mother and her family. Every week, Rogelia receives six jugs of safe water to help her prepare her food to sell, driving down her supply costs. She can now support her family and Jolet is receiving the medication she needs!
“In times as difficult as these, there are always people who offer a ray of hope for those most in need,” Rogelia said. “I send my thanks and affection to those wonderful people who think of us and that God uses to bless more people.”