Hello,

I greet you from Caracas, Venezuela.

My name is Maria Elena Colmenarez and I am 58 years old. At the age of 17 I suffered a serious car accident and I got contaminated with gangrene. Thus the amputation of my left leg above the knee was essential to save my life.

I have since used a prosthesis which I have been able to refurbish over the years. Unfortunately I had to stop using it in May 2021 due to an accumulation of difficulties, such as the failure of the mechanical knee (which was mended with improvised parts) and a broken socket (that shortened the prothesis). Using the prothesis on these conditions had caused me severe pain in the lumbar area, in the iliac crest and in the femur.

Despite my circumstances, in the union of my son, I collaborated with foundations for abandoned childhood or for childhood at-risk of abandonment (ABANSA y Hogares Mama Margarita), and also with foundations for shelter and guidance for young people with addiction problems (Alcance Victoria y Nosotros Unidos).

In the absence of the prosthesis my daily life has grown difficult and I have not been able to continue my normal life. For instance, I am now using walking sticks and I cannot easily move past the climbs or stairs of my house and neighborhood. The use of walking sticks in combination with my weight is creating additional painful problems in my back and neck.

Despite that the currency trade is illegal in the country, the current Venezuelan economy is “dollarized”, which means that prices are set in US dollars (USD) instead of the legal currency (Bolívares or Bs.); all while the local salaries are paid in the local currency. My current salary is 45 Bs. (equivalent to USD 7 in the black market) and the "basic basket" was calculated on 334 USD at the beginning of march 2022. As most Venezuelans I cannot make meets end and cannot foresee the acquisition of my prothesis without your support.

My goal is to get a new prosthesis of quality that would be useful for the rest of my life. According to the estimations of Mr. Fernando Carvalo, who is an Orthopedic Technician from Biotecpro, C.A., and one of the best technicians in our country, the current cost of the prothesis is US$ 10,280 (@ 21 march 2022). Other associated costs estimations add up to USD 1700 for radiographies, traumatologists and physiotherapy.

I have faith that with the help of each one of you, no matter how small, we will be able to raise the necessary funds to provide me a quality prosthesis which will allow me to recover my health and to resume my social works, putting a brick to support the needs of the youngers.

Thank you for allowing me to sow a seed of hope for this dream.

God bless you.

Maria Elena Colmenarez.

P.D :  Preferably transfer  to our account in euros below (that would save us important fees). Don’t hesitate to ask for other accounts in different currencies :

Banking details :

M MORASH OU MME RIVERO COLMENARES 

IBAN : FR 2530 0020 0684 0000 0203 85D8 3

BIC code : CRLYFRPPXX