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Testimonies

A Mother’s Fight. A Child’s Hope

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When Lesly Joselyn Paz learned that her unborn baby had been affected by the Zika virus, her world collapsed. “I remember walking out of that doctor’s office completely overwhelmed,” she says. “From that moment, I knew life wouldn’t be easy.”

Her son Erickson Jafeth was born with microcephaly—a condition that affects his development and overall health. As a single mother of two in rural Honduras, Lesly does what she can to provide, washing clothes for others to earn a small income. But it has never been enough.

A year ago, Erickson was referred to CAMO’s Nutrition Program due to severe underweight and malnutrition. He was sick often, fragile, and losing strength. But that started to change the moment he entered our care.

“Since coming to this program, I’ve seen a real difference in my son,” Lesly shares. “He doesn’t get sick as often. He’s stronger. CAMO gives us milk, incaparina, and nutritious bars that he loves. Here, we’ve found the support we needed to keep going.”This is the power of healing through food

Earlier this month, we launched Food for Healing—a campaign to raise essential funds for our Nutrition Program, which provides life-saving food, supplements, and education to children like Erickson.

Your gift today will help children like Erickson receive the nourishment they need to thrive—because every child deserves a chance to grow, to smile, and to fight for their future.

Make your impact before the end of April: camo.org/foodforhealing2025/

Testimonies

Jae’s Story: From Survivor to Future Soccer Player

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From a very young age, Jae Anderson Casildo Quioto dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. Born in Roatán, Bay Islands, Jae is the eldest of four siblings raised by their mother amidst significant economic hardship.

However, his life changed drastically at the age of 12 when he was involved in a serious traffic accident. He was riding a motorcycle with another person when excessive speed caused a tragic crash. Everyone involved lost their lives—except for Jae, who miraculously survived.

The accident caused a traumatic brain injury and resulted in the loss of his left leg. Despite this life-altering event, Jae never lost hope or his fighting spirit.

Thanks to the support of people in his community, he was referred to the Puerta de Esperanza Rehabilitation Center in Zambrano, Francisco Morazán. From there, he came to CAMO  in Santa Rosa de Copán, where—with funding from the FAKS Foundation—he received a prosthetic leg that gave him back the ability to walk and dream again.

Today, Jae is committed to continuing his education and, with his new prosthesis, is working hard to achieve his ultimate goal: to play professional soccer.

“My dream is to play professional soccer,” he said with a hopeful smile.

Thanks to the commitment of our partners and donors, we continue transforming lives in Honduras.

Quarterly

Newsletter Spring 2025

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The reason is clear: CAMO has always focused on real, urgent, life-and-death needs—not on donor-driven or first-world priorities. Our approach is grounded in Honduran-led needs  assessments—not external agendas. The people of Honduras identify their own most pressing challenges, and we respond with sustainable solutions that empower, not impose.

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News Media Releases

Food Crisis in Honduras: You Can Change a Life Today

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The reality for many communities in Honduras is harsh: entire families living in extreme poverty, without stable income or access to adequate food.

In 2024, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), 62.9% of households in Honduras are living in poverty.
More than 40.1% are facing extreme poverty conditions.

It is estimated that approximately 1.8 million people in Honduras are facing critical levels of food insecurity.

Moved by this urgent need and the suffering of many, CAMO, with the generous collaboration of the Christian Apostolic ministry HarvestCall, is working with hundreds of families in western Honduras to provide them with vital food support and help them recover from malnutrition.

Through the “Food Pharmacy” Project, CAMO delivers food buckets to 10 municipalities across 3 departments in Honduras.

In recent months, food buckets have been delivered to 601 families, directly benefiting 1,455 individuals

Stories That Give Meaning to Every Delivery

Don Candelario Martínez (77 years old), his wife Marcelina Murillo (65), and their daughter Gloria del Carmen (35) were in a critical situation.
With no income and suffering from health issues due to malnutrition, they were selected to receive food support. Thanks to this help, they have gained weight and significantly improved their well-being.

Doña Rosa Martínez (68), a widow, lives with her daughter Elvia and two granddaughters, both 8 years old.
All three were moderately malnourished. With the support received, they have begun to recover their health and hope.

This is the before and after of Candelario’s family. The improvement in his daughter, Gloria Del Carmen, is evident.

A Call to Solidarity

Despite the positive impact, the needs are still overwhelming. Thousands of families are still waiting for an opportunity—a gesture of compassion that restores health and dignity.

CAMO’s community work is only possible thanks to committed partners like HarvestCall and the ongoing support of caring individuals.

Join this mission of love, compassion, and action. Together, we can continue bringing hope to those who need it most.

News Media Releases

International Medical Brigade: Impacting the Lives of More Than 400 People in Honduras

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For two intense weeks, from February 16 to March 2, 2025, CAMO conducted its International Medical Brigade in Honduras.

A team of 44 North American volunteers, in collaboration with Honduran professionals, provided medical and surgical care, training, and donations, positively impacting more than 402 lives.Specialties and services provided:

Dentistry: 248 schoolchildren received care, improving their oral health. In addition, seven community service dentists strengthened their skills. Five dental modules in schools and a health center were also maintained.

Plastic surgery: 50 patients were evaluated, of whom 23 underwent surgery to correct various conditions.

Ophthalmology: 103 patients recovered their vision thanks to cataract surgery.

Gynecology: 66 women received specialized care; nine gynecologists were trained and 35 mammograms were performed.

Nutrition: 31 patients with special conditions were treated, improving their quality of life.Education and biomedical:

Training: 49 professionals trained in neonatal care.

Biomedical Support: 26 pieces of medical equipment were inspected, of which 19 were optimized, ensuring their proper functioning at the Hospital de Occidente.Donations and infrastructure:

Six wheelchairs were delivered to people in need, and maintenance work was performed at the Women’s Shelter, hospitals, and hearing aid equipment, improving care conditions.An impact on their lives:

Juan Manuel, a 10-year-old boy from San Pedro de Copán, visited a dentist for the first time because of a toothache. “I’ve never been to a dentist before, but my tooth hurts, and that’s why I’m here,” he said before being treated.

María Lourdes López García, an 11-year-old girl from San Antonio, Cortés, was born with a femoral skin tumor and missing her left eye, which kept her isolated and unable to attend school. After surgery, Lourdes regained her confidence and is preparing to receive an ocular prosthesis through CAMO’s Ophthalmology Program and the Robles Eye Center. Now, smiling and hopeful, she is getting ready to go to school for the first time.

CAMO is deeply grateful to all the volunteers, Honduran counterparts, brigade members, and donors who, with their effort and talent, made this brigade possible, demonstrating that solidarity and collaborative work can transform lives.

News Media Releases

Patients Regain Hope of Seeing Again with Corneal Transplants

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Eleven patients with severe eye diseases received a new opportunity to regain their sight thanks to the most recent Corneal Surgery Brigade conducted by Honduran and international specialists from the Robles Eye Center and CAMO.

This brigade was made possible through the efforts of Honduran specialist Dr. Laura Lucía Ponce and American ophthalmologists Dr. Jay Stewart and Dr. Julie Schallhorn from the University of San Francisco, who traveled to Honduras to perform the transplants.

A corneal transplant in Honduras is very costly, making this surgery difficult to access for individuals with limited financial resources. The corneas used in the surgeries for CAMO patients were secured by Dr. Schallhorn and donated by CorneaGen.

Thanks to this humanitarian effort, 11 patients have successfully undergone surgery and are currently being monitored for their recovery.Patients Who Regained Hope 

The beneficiaries of this brigade have suffered from conditions such as keratoconus, pseudophakic keratopathy, and corneal leukoma—diseases that impair vision and can lead to total blindness.

Patient recovery will take approximately three months, during which they will be closely monitored to assess the success of the transplants.

Dr. Julie Schallhorn has been facilitating cornea donations for the past two years, and this is the third brigade in which she has participated.

It is hoped that this effort can be repeated at least once a year, depending on the availability of donations and specialists.

News Media Releases

Ruta Copán: Cars, Passion, and a Life-Saving Cause

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“A head surgery is what keeps her alive”. These are the words of Aura Alberto, mother of Evelyn Rocío, a young girl born with hydrocephalus. Thanks to CAMO’s Neurosurgery Program and its partnership with Hospital de Occidente, Evelyn received the life-saving operation she desperately needed.

Aura recalls the painful months after her daughter’s birth. Thirteen years ago, when Evelyn Rocío was born with hydrocephalus, there was no medical response available in public hospitals. For the first four months of her life, she went without treatment. The lack of medical attention led to a severe infection, leaving her with lifelong consequences.

“She was four months old when I brought her to Hospital de Occidente. That’s when they operated on her. That’s why she is alive today,” says Aura.

For more than 15 years, CAMO has strengthened the neurosurgery program at Hospital de Occidente, ensuring that children like Evelyn receive the care they need. However, the program relies heavily on financial support to continue saving lives.

Dr. Roberto Álvarez, the neurosurgeon leading this initiative, explains “unfortunately, in countries like ours, the incidence of children born with hydrocephalus is high. While this could be prevented, malnutrition among pregnant women—caused by extreme poverty—is a major contributing factor”.

Dr. Álvarez and his team treat four to five hydrocephalus cases every month, but the costs are overwhelming for a public hospital with limited resources. That’s where Ruta Copán comes in.Ruta Copán: A Community-Driven Fundraising Event That Saves Lives

Ruta Copán is an annual fundraising event organized by the Honduran Association of Classic and Antique Cars (AHACA) to support CAMO’s Neurosurgery Program. This initiative provides life-saving surgeries to children with hydrocephalus and other neurological conditions, in collaboration with Hospital de Occidente and the Honduran Ministry of Health.

Since 2017, Ruta Copán has raised between $20,000 and $28,000 per year, providing essential funds for neurosurgical supplies, medical equipment, and patient care. This event has become a lifeline for many children who would otherwise not have access to the treatment they need to survive.

YOU can be part of this life-changing initiative! Make a donation—every contribution makes a difference.

CAMO is a non-denominational, Christian-based, humanitarian organization that brings life-saving medical services, education and community development to Central America.

Testimonies

A Story of Light: Salvadora Regains Her Vision and Hope

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“One day, suddenly, I realized I couldn’t see anything when I got up,” shares María Salvadora Sánchez Gómez, a 22-year-old from San Andrés, Lempira.

Cataracts had robbed her of her sight, her ability to work, and her chance to care for her young daughters, leaving her completely dependent on her parents—humble farmers struggling to make ends meet.

For months, Salvadora sought help, guided by her parents’ hands, only to face the frustration of being turned away at public hospitals. Her journey took a hopeful turn when she was referred to the Ophthalmology Program by CAMO and the Robles Eye Center, where specialist Marco Robles diagnosed her with congenital cataracts.

Through two surgeries and months of follow-up care, Salvadora regained her sight and her independence. “I thank God, the doctors, and CAMO. I’m so happy to see again,” she said with emotion.

The experience also fulfilled another of her dreams: visiting Santa Rosa de Copán, home to CAMO’s headquarters. “I always dreamed of seeing Santa Rosa, and just hours after the surgery, I could finally see how beautiful the city is,” she shared.

When Salvadora came in for her final medical check-up, she arrived unassisted, walking with confidence and a radiant smile that reflected her new independence and the beginning of a brighter future.

Salvadora didn’t just recover her vision—she regained her dignity, hope, and the chance to build a better life.

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