Hi, I’m Carolyn Cucitro. I’m 29 years old, originally from Los Angeles, and I’ve been traveling the world for the past few years. During my travels, I’ve seen many incredible things, but one story in Panama City took me completely by surprise — and it has become my mission to help.

I met a young woman who looked much younger than she actually is. When I asked her age, she told me she was 19 and pregnant — but she was not with the father. What she shared next broke my heart.

She grew up in a difficult environment: her father was imprisoned when she was young, and she dropped out of school after sixth grade to help support her family. Since she was 12, she worked to help provide for her younger brothers so they could stay in school. She never got involved with drugs or alcohol — she was focused on taking care of her family.

Then, about eight months ago, everything changed. A coworker offered to give her a ride home from work. Instead, he drugged and violently sexually abused her. She woke up two months later in a hospital, only to be told she was pregnant.

Despite this unimaginable trauma, she chose to keep the baby. She refuses to blame the child for what happened. But here in Panama, being pregnant makes it nearly impossible to find work, especially with only a sixth-grade education. Employers avoid hiring pregnant women because they would be legally required to pay maternity leave and benefits — costs they don’t want to bear.

This young woman was a virgin. The man who attacked her took her innocence and left her to face this alone, with no support. She now faces the daily reality of loving her baby while knowing the horrible truth about its father — a reality no one should ever endure.

I’m asking you to find kindness and generosity in your heart to give her a helping hand. We live in a world where terrible things happen every day, but your donation — whether it’s $1, $10, or $1000 — will make a real difference. Every penny will go toward helping her safely deliver her baby in a hospital, and to provide for basic needs like food and clothing.

The photos I’ve posted are from her — her story written in Spanish, and soon, images of her ultrasound and her son. I’ve already helped her with food, clothes, and some funds, but I want to ensure she can give birth safely in a hospital, something she might otherwise be forced to do at home.

Please help me give her and her baby the chance at a safe, hopeful future. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.

— Carolyn