My name is Adelaide Hoeschen. I will be graduating from Nursing School this spring. I was chosen by a group of medical professionals from Building Capacity Guatemala to participate on a nursing team that travels to Coban, Guatemala, to provide clinical services to the local village. I was lucky enough to participate on the student team in 2023.

The teams mission statement is: "Our aim and mission is to build medical and holistic healthcare capacity in partnership with the “Ciudad de Esperanza” in Coban, Guatemala, so that over a period of 5-10 years the community can be self sustaining in meeting their own health care needs. In keeping with Regis University’s mission as a “social projection,” to respond in solidarity and shared faith, hope, and love, with the people of Guatemala and to help our students encounter the “other side” of the immigration crisis at the US southern border"

Here is a quote from my journal I kept there from 2023…“Many came to the clinic this week with smiles on their faces, not allowing us to see the pain until visible evidence was available. They thanked us, and we thanked them, for allowing us to step into their lives as they stepped into ours. These people have hope in a place where none should be found. These people have joy, where I got a glimpse of hell. These people have love, where love is not given to them. So yes, you can make a difference in this world, with the smallest actions... a smile, a bandaid, a bottle of Tylenol, a single burbuja floating to the sky, a warm squeeze of a hand, a meal shared, a listening ear, or a hug. This team will be back again next year and years to come to continue to spread love, peace, hope, and joy in Coban, Guatemala, and that brings me the same peace, joy, and hope.”

Thank you in considering to help me with this opportunity to continue in my new career as a nurse.

Peace,

Adelaide Hoeschen