Yanetsili is 10 years old and lives in a part of Colombia long marked by conflict, poverty, and neglect. She lives with her mother, Naura, and her little brother. Her father has been gone for years. Naura carries the full weight of caring for her children alone.
And for many years, she literally carried Yanetsili.
When Yanetsili was just two years old, she was diagnosed with partial paralysis caused by nerve damage. She cannot move independently. As a small child, her mother could lift her easily. But as Yanetsili grew, so did the physical toll.
Their home has a dirt floor, which poses hazards including sharp stones and insects, making it unsafe for Yanetsili to crawl on. Without a wheelchair, she would spend most days in bed.
Healthcare in their community is limited, with the nearest medical facility over eight hours away by bus. Just to get to physical therapy, Naura would carry her daughter in her arms for an hour—at more than 66 pounds, it was exhausting.
Sometimes, it was simply too much. They would often skip their therapy appointments altogether.
Their greatest wish was simple: a wheelchair of their own, to get Yanetsili to physical therapy more easily.
Naura and her daughter Yanetsili were overjoyed to receive a brand-new wheelchair.
Thanks to your prayers and support, their wish came true when Yanetsili received a new wheelchair through our local distribution partner, Food For The Poor.
Yanetsili now attends school and therapy consistently. She’s more independent, engaged, and full of joy.
For Naura, the change is profound. She is still the same devoted mother, but she no longer has to carry her daughter every time they leave home. The physical burden has eased, and opportunity has opened. She can now leave her daughter at home in peace when she goes to work as a housekeeper. “Our lives have changed so much since the arrival of the wheelchair,” Naura said, her smile lighting up the room.
