Fleeing an uncertain future, Herminia was only 14 when she arrived from Huanuco. Her mother’s words were clear, “We have no money for you to study.” That was when Herminia decided to use her hard-earned savings to move to Lima and build a future in this chaotic city.
Upon arrival, she sought out a distant aunt who gave her a job peeling potatoes at a market. The owner of the market, offered her a small room in his house, but his wife, full of jealousy, did everything possible to get Herminia out. Soon enough, Herminia was alone again and on the street. In an attempt to earn a little bit of money, Herminia bought a box of tomatoes and began selling them. She slept on the street for many weeks, until she could afford to buy a patch of cheap land in the hills. There, using some cardboard and old wood, Herminia built herself a house to keep her warm in the cold and wet Lima climate.
Herminia when we first met her in 2014.
Herminia met the father of her children one afternoon while working in the market. Although it wasn’t love at first sight, they began to rely on each other in hard times and grew stronger together. When her son was born, Herminia didn’t know whether to celebrate or mourn. She was making barely enough money to feed herself, let alone an extra mouth, but the thought of raising her own child was inspiration enough. Herminia decided to embrace this new challenge.
10 years have passed and Herminia remains living in poverty, but her determination to build a better life for her children meant that she could no longer remain the shy young woman who came from nothing. Herminia’s husband has since become the leader of their community, where six MEDLIFE staircases have been built. He and Herminia have worked day and night to help complete each and every one.
The fight for a better life did not simply end with the staircases, either. When she first moved to her community, the lack of electricity was a problem with no easy solution. Herminia worked tirelessly to learn about laws she had never heard of and rights she did not even know she had. The hard work ultimately paid off because, incredibly, Herminia managed to singlehandedly bring light and electricity to an entire community.
Herminia talks to Janet, one of the MEDLIFE nurses, during a patient follow up visit.
Herminia has since been entered into the MEDLIFE Patient Follow-Up program to treat the severe Rosacea on her face. Rosacea is a common acne-like skin condition that manifests itself in the form of redness of the face, an enlarged and bulbous nose, or tiny red pimples covering the nose and cheeks. Rosacea is a very bothersome and embarrassing condition for many adults, and, if left untreated, it can become much worse over time.
Although the condition is incurable, it is easily managed and controlled with prescription medication. Through our Patient Follow-Up Program, MEDLIFE has been able to provide Herminia with the ointment needed to treat her Rosacea. Now, thankfully, Herminia has one less inconvenience to worry about in her busy life.