Social Work
About 5 years ago, I was nursing my son Kian and scrolling on social media when I came across a news story that broke my heart. The story was about two young children that were found abandoned in a home. They had been there for five days and were starving, cold, and sick. While reading, I discovered that the hospital the children had been taken to was near my mother’s home in Venezuela, and I knew I had to act. I called my mother, told her about the news article, and asked her to go to the hospital to find the children.
It is one thing to feel sad about a news story and think, “how is this possible?” and “this can’t be real,” but it is entirely different to witness it firsthand. When my mother got to the hospital, she confirmed that it was not only a reality, but just how depressing and infuriating a situation like this truly is. The boys were being well taken care of by a local foundation, and I knew this was my time to take action. My mother got the contact information of the woman running the foundation helping the boys and sent it to me.
The foundation is called "Esperanza de Vida", and the woman who runs it is named Milagros, and she is amazing. Not only was she helping those boys, but the foundation she created and pours her heart into was helping pay for doctors appointments and hospital stays, and she was even feeding locals through her mother’s garage. Over the years, we were in constant contact, and I was able to help provide funds as needed for more children and groceries for her to help feed those who needed them.
In December of 2021, we raised enough money, with the help of friends, family, and Mukupati purchases, to help build Milagros a home to fulfill the needs of her foundation. In this home, she cooks, feeds Venezuelans, provides a location for doctor visits, hosts after-school programs and other events, grows her own food for the kitchen, and so much more.
Day in and day out, Milagros and Esperanza de Vida help to keep the people of Venezuela fed, healthy, and happy. We are proud to be partnered with such an important mission in our home country, and we give donations for every purchase made. You can help make a difference with your purchase, not only by helping to keep the earth clean and sustainable but also by helping those who need it most.
If you want more information or to donate directly to Milagros and Esperanza de Vida, please visit their Instagram page @fundacionesperanz. If you do not speak Spanish, you can utilize the “see translation” feature at the bottom of each post. We are grateful to be partnering with an amazing foundation, bringing hope and health to the people of Venezuela.