Guatemala 2021

Hello, my name is Sophia Vassallo and I am 15 years old. My mom, Rita Aspirany-Vassallo, has been a part of a non profit organization named “The Healing Hands Foundation” since 2009. This organization travels to countries in Central America for medical missions, offering free surgeries and medical assistance to hundreds that cannot afford the help. During the summer of 2018, my mom took me and my siblings to Patzún, Guatemala for a week where we volunteered in an orphanage. The orphanage is connected to the hospital where the foundation goes yearly. I spent time with the children there and taught them things such as personal hygiene, English, and healthy habits. In November of 2019, I was fortunate enough to go with The Healing Hands Foundation and saw how such unfortunate people were able to receive the medical help they had been seeking but could not afford and helped out at the orphanage. I raised money myself to be able to travel there, wanting to go back and make even bigger of a difference, having made a connection with all the kids I met and spent time with. I have always looked up to my mom for being so compassionate and I am so grateful for what she has taught and shown me. These trips were such amazing experiences, having realized that every little act of kindness makes a difference and that I should be more grateful for what I have. I have learned a lot about myself and how this world that we are living in has to change. More people have to stand up and help others as we were all made to make a change for the future. I thank everyone that has helped me so much for the love and support. I hope to go back again in 2021 since 2020 was not possible due to the pandemic, and help out as much as I can. Even if you are able to share this but aren’t able to donate, thank you so much❤️