By Kelly Shank – Recently we shared a behind-the-scenes story about our medical staff, Doc and Mirna. This week we’d like to share good news about a few of our children, as well as an update from Doc about our home. According to Doc’s evaluations, approximately 30% of our children have a condition...
By Kelly Shank – If you’re a parent you understand how scary it can be when your child is sick, that helpless feeling when you don’t know what is wrong or what to do. Now imagine multiplying those feelings by 40 children. Describing how important Dr. Castro “Doc” and Mirna, our nurse, are is...
By Dr. Francisco Castro (Medical Director) – Second of two parts In my last blog, I talked about our success last year with the child care program at Dorie’s Promise. Today, I want to relate personal stories about three children whose lives have been impacted dramatically by Forever Changed...
By Dr. Francisco Castro (Medical Director) – First of two parts Every year at Dorie’s Promise has been a special one, and this past year was no exception. During 2016, we provided shelter for dozens of kids, but much more than that as we met many other prerequisites for a happy life. Our...
By Dr. Francisco Castro – We believe that good health depends on dynamic but stable relationships among biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors. A comprehensive and integral health system should become involved in attending to such factors. Our system utilizes four health...
Some reflections on my experience as a physician and pediatrician at Dorie’s Promise, serving orphans and battered, abused, neglected Guatemalan children: In my youth I was attracted to, and still am, to three different fields of study: anthropology, architecture, and medicine. I learned, in...
By Dr. Francisco Castro-Barillas- I want to give you a report on our Health Program at Dorie’s Promise, outlining our achievements in the previous year and our successful support of the care provided to our children. This program has been an invaluable support to Forever Changed and Dorie’s...
Our goal this year is to raise $32,400 to cover the costs for our medical program. Here’s what that includes for the year: $16,000 — Dr. Castro’s salary $8,000 — Nurse salary $1,400 — Office space $2,000 — Supplies, prescriptions, medicine $1,000 —...
Earlier we shared the story of Dulce Maria, an infant who came into our care small and sickly. Thanks to Doctor Castro and our medical team she got the care she needed. Dr. Castro continues to monitor her health, growth, and development. I am happy to report that her health continues to improve as...
You know what it is like to hold a brand-new baby in your arms. There is something really special about the moment. Holding that baby just reminds you of the fragility of life. Now imagine holding a very sick little baby girl — just days old. Her mother...
By Dr. Francisco Castro- January marked the start of my sixth year as medical director and pediatrician at Dorie’s Promise. The past month brought non-stop activity and numerous issues to attend to, especially after Christmas vacation. However, we were able to meet every need because of our...
By Desi Stephens- Last week we experienced a real-life demonstration of why our campaign to raise $31,000 by Dec. 31 to adequately fund the medical program at Dorie’s Promise is so important. Seven-year-old Efrain had surgery recently on his left eye because of cataracts. Surgeons removed...