Esperanza gives hope
Esperanza Paz lives in El Tigrillo, in the Venezuelan state of La Guaira. The 55-year-old has lived here since childhood and feels deeply connected to her community. “I do everything I can for the well-being of our community,” she says. Esperanza works as a teacher at a vocational training institute. Beyond her work, she is also committed to supporting the people around her.
But then, one day changes everything. On June 24, 2026, two powerful earthquakes strike La Guaira in northern Venezuela within a short period of time. Esperanza says she lost around 30 family members and friends. Months later, she is still grieving.
“The earthquake changed my life. I lost many loved ones, so many people I knew. I really need help to find a way forward.”
– Esperanza Paz
After a disaster such as an earthquake, people need more than medical care. Losing loved ones, as well as the fear and uncertainty caused by the disaster, can also leave deep emotional wounds. Together with our partner organization PALUZ, Malteser International therefore supports people affected by the earthquakes. Through mobile clinic visits, people can access both medical and psychosocial support. Group sessions address topics including mental health and ways to cope with stress and grief. Those who need additional support can also receive individual counseling from a psychologist.
Esperanza is one of the people making use of this support. She talks to a psychologist about her grief and learns breathing exercises designed to help her cope with the emotional strain she is experiencing. What matters most to her is the personal connection: “The support is personal, warm and respectful.” Esperanza also receives medical care at the mobile clinic. She is examined for tension in her neck and referred for X-rays and rehabilitation.
Supporting others while needing support herself
Esperanza needs support herself. At the same time, she is determined to make sure that others in her community can also access the help they need. Through a former colleague, she gets in touch with our partner PALUZ. When the mobile clinic comes to El Tigrillo, Esperanza helps spread the word throughout her community. She reaches out to different groups to let them know that medical care is available. In her own way, Esperanza becomes an angel for her community: even as she grieves and needs support herself, she helps ensure that others can receive care too.
Because children have not been able to attend school regularly since the earthquake, Esperanza has been asked to provide them with additional lessons. Although she wants to help, she also recognizes her own limits. For now, she does not yet feel ready to provide the children with emotional or psychological support.
Esperanza finds strength in looking ahead. She thinks about her two granddaughters and the lives that may lie ahead of them. She hopes they will be able to continue learning, receive a good education and one day build safe and fulfilling lives. "Esperanza" means “hope” in Spanish. And although she has experienced unimaginable loss this year, she has not given up that hope. Instead, she passes it on to others.
Become a Christmas Angel, too. With your donation, you can help provide medical and psychosocial support to people in need.
