Treysi Larissa is a baby who arrived during quarantine. Her birth was assisted by Compassion Survival at PE0594. Her story is below.
We are deeply grateful for the Menlo Church family and your heart for the world’s most vulnerable children. Because of your concern for those Jesus referred to as “the least of these,” it is our honor to present you with this proposal to continue investing in Survival interventions at Iglesia Casa de Oración La Unidad (PE0594), located in Chulucanas, Peru. This church offers hope to the Luis de la Puente Uceda community — an area of extreme poverty where more than 3,000 children suffer from chronic malnutrition.
Iglesia Casa de Oración La Unidad
Location: Luis de la Puente Uceda, Chulucanas
Number of Mother/Baby Pairs: 15
- The Luis de la Puente Uceda neighborhood is home to 5,500 people.
- Spanish is the common language.
- Typical houses are made of clay, with dirt floors and corrugated iron roofs.
- The regional diet consists of beans, fish and rice.
- Primary threats to children here are related to extreme poverty and the lack of sanitation.
- Common health problems in this area include lice, skin disorders and parasites.
- Most adults in Luis de la Puente Uceda make a living by working on grape plantations. The average family income is equivalent to $153 per month.
A Survival Story From PE0594: Born in Quarantine
Yessenia is a mother who participates in Compassion Survival at Iglesia Casa de Oración La Unidad. Yessenia needed special assistance when she was registered into the program, as she was at risk of developing pre-eclampsia. The Survival initiative doesn’t just help mothers spiritually—a nutritionist and physician provide support throughout their pregnancy. Yessenia shares, “I’m very grateful for Compassion. I feel like no one helps us but the people from church. They are there for us.”
The quarantine and restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Peru have temporarily prevented mothers in Compassion Survival from meeting in person. Instead, staff members are phoning the mothers to check on their wellbeing.
On April 2, Pilar, a staff member, made her usual call to Yessenia to see how she was feeling. To her surprise, Yessenia was not at home. Yessenia had started labor and her husband used his motor tricycle taxi to rush her to the local health center. Due to COVID-19, health centers and hospitals have restricted the number of visitors. Gustavo, Yessenia’s husband, had to wait outside the room. By phone, he kept Pilar updated on his wife’s progress. Thankfully, the delivery went smoothly and they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Treysi Larrissa.
The Compassion center sent a newborn gift basket full of essential supplies to welcome little Treysi. “I feel so cared for and loved by the people from the project, I’m very grateful. I miss our meetings. I hope this is over soon,” says Yessenia as she looks at the diapers, baby wipes and clothes from the Survival initiative.
Despite the pandemic, she feels optimistic about the future, knowing she has the project’s support. “Pilar calls me all the time to make sure I’m okay. My husband and I pray to God to help us raise our new daughter. We’re going to be okay.”
Support Mothers and Babies in Peru
Your generous gift of $7,952.50 will improve the lives of 15 mothers and their babies who will benefit from Survival care at Iglesia Casa de Oración La Unidad over the next 12 months. As babies reach their first birthday and move on to the Child Sponsorship Program, additional mothers will benefit from your gift by joining Survival programming over the course of the year.
Help Babies Reach Their First Birthday
Thank you for considering supporting Compassion Survival at Iglesia Casa de Oración La Unidad in Peru. Through your generosity, you will be providing life-saving services that allow babies to reach their crucial first birthday. You will be creating a stable, healthy environment for babies and giving mothers the opportunity to learn new skills and grow in confidence. Thank you again for believing in Compassion’s work and for helping to give the most vulnerable the best start in life.