Nearly 7 years ago, we met Maria de Jesus or as we call her Chuy, a mother of 5 children, 4 of which were elementary age, their faces always reflected a smile although we quickly learned that those smiles were simply on the outside. Their situation was grave, and they were barely surviving. Her husband had passed less than a year before we had really gotten to know them. She was a widow with a home to support in a community where women are constantly violated in every way, her spirit screamed for help. Longing for something more.
It became evident that every time MARKED’s truck arrived she was the first among her community to meet us as she wanted to make sure her children would be the first to receive a couple of sandwiches and fresh fruit. She would tell us each visit, it was because she wasn’t sure when her children would eat next.
As our visits increased, Chuy not only ran for physical food but she wanted to be spiritually nourished and loved as well. Every visit, she looked for a way to help distribute food or whatever was necessary. She expressed that it was her token of appreciation and her expression of love.
When we made the decision and had the ability to change from a sandwich to a plate of hot food she was the first volunteer in our kitchen, eager and ready to serve. Everyday Chuy showed up because she wanted to invest in her community, not knowing where it would lead.
Today, Chuy along with her beautiful family have been transformed. Because of her eagerness to serve and be apart, and because of our monthly partners, we were able to offer Chuy a job, today she helps lead our kitchen.
This job empowers a single mother and widow to provide for her family. Her children, now enrolled in school, no longer needing to work because their mom is now providing for them. She is leading by example, and giving her children the opportunity to be kids, something she never had. We are watching the cycles of poverty in her family break, because of her simple yes, desire to learn and eagerness to grow.
We celebrate Chuy and the massive strides forward she has made over these past 7 years. And we have you, our partners to thank!