Junín, Cundinamarca: The Birth of Our Mission and the First Project
In the heart of Junín, Cundinamarca, in 2022, not only did our first project begin, but also the seed was sown for what is now known as La Fundación La Mano de Dios En Acción. This story is not just one of aid; it’s a testament to resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of action.
A Personal and Deep Beginning
My name is Martha Isabel, and in 2022 I faced a health crisis that threatened my life. Years dedicated to cleaning had taken its toll, with persistent coughing that evolved into serious lung problems. The economic and emotional uncertainty of those days as a single mother was overwhelming, with doctors warning me that my heart or lungs could fail at any moment.
I decided, along with my children, to seek a solution in Colombia, where the family could assist me while we searched for medical answers. It was there, at an informal meeting in a restaurant with a pastor friend and her husband, that my life changed forever. An elderly man approached our table asking for the leftovers of our food. His humble plea for something as basic as food for himself and his children left me speechless and with a heart full of compassion.
The Encounter That Changed Everything
That evening, the pastors told me about the difficult situation many seniors face in Colombia. I couldn’t sleep that night; the image of that man’s face stayed with me. The next day, they introduced me to Claudia Guzmán, a dedicated nurse who cared for elderly adults in Junín. Moved and motivated by my own struggle for health, I expressed my desire to help. Claudia shared the urgent needs of seniors under her care, and I committed myself to doing whatever was within my power.
From Personal Action to Foundation
Returning to the United States with an improvement in my health, I began collecting adult diapers, shampoo, soap, and everything else that could be sent to Claudia’s home where she works. This initial personal gesture became the first “project” of what would later become La Fundacion La Mano de Dios En Accion.
A Legacy of Compassion
Today, Claudia remains a crucial part of our projects in Colombia. That first step in Junín was not just an act of charity; it was the awakening of a mission that seeks to alleviate, support, and dignify the lives of those who need it most.
This initial project in Junín, Cundinamarca, reflects the spirit of our foundation: transforming adversity into opportunity, compassion into action, and individual lives into a community of mutual support.
With each step, we remember the elderly man whose encounter not only changed my life but also lit the light of hope and action that guides La Mano de Dios En Acción.