Executive Director, Dr. Gabriella Woo, MD
Every day in Nicaragua, people struggle to drink clean water, or afford even the most basic food items. Moms agonize with worry, with no means to take their sick children to hospitals located hours away. Families fear getting sick with a deadly virus, or worse, spreading it to their neighbors.
This past year has reminded us of our fragility. We have been affected with uncertainty, vulnerability, and grief. We have stumbled and fallen. And yet, this past year has also ignited within us a spark of hope - a small fame of faith, and a promise of renewed purpose that we are called to reinvest back into the world. You are our spark of hope. Your compassion, commitment, and contributions to our ministry have inspired us to keep going. Even when it seemed like there was only darkness ahead, you continued to light our way.
You ignited change throughout our ministry in Nicaragua in so many ways: You equipped our 25 urban and rural community clinics with needed medicines, supplies, personal protective equipment, and handwashing stations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You supported health promoters in educating families on how to protect themselves and their neighbors from COVID-19. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to adapt our programs to a new reality. We took drastic measures to protect the health of our patents, community health volunteers, staff members, and their families. We had to temporarily suspend operations for brief periods of time during peak rates of infections. Yet through it all, we were blessed by your outstanding support as generous individuals, churches, and partner organizations.
You brought a spark of hope to life’s highs and lows… to every pregnant mom who gave birth safely and held her newborn baby, to every patent who needed and sought emergency care, and to every parent who felt a sigh of relief when their child was treated by a health promoter in their own community. We know there are still challenges to come. The light at the end of the tunnel may dim, and the unexpected and the unknown may cast shadows upon it. But when the shadows subside, our spark of hope will be brighter. It will reflect the light of God, and our strength in community. It will guide our way as we rise towards what is to come. Thank you for igniting little fires for hope all throughout our AMOS ministry. May we share in the light together, that soon, we may rise together. With immense gratitude, “Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” Micah 7:8
Dr. Gabriella Woo, MD Executive Director