Carla Mejia, age 9, is the daughter of Esmeralda, one of our hospital care takers, who was abandoned at PAHS as a malnourished child herself in the 1960s. Carla is bright and spunky. She is in the fourth grade at the Adventist bilingual school and she is really enjoying it. The first thing she does when she gets home from school is her English homework. Carla enjoys playing with her friends when her homework and chores are done.

Adelaida, age 8, is a precious child who was brought to PAHS as a toddler malnourished and abused. She was very shy and quiet but has blossomed since she started school here two years ago. She is in second grade and is such a sweetie that one can quickly develop a deep affection for her.

Carlos Mejia, age 9, is Carla’s little brother and the son of Esmeralda (who works with us and was herself both a patient in the Nutrition Hospital and later grew up in the PAHS Home). He is now in the third grade. He is an active, mischievous boy who enjoys playing with friends.

Jasmin Dominguez, age 15, is the oldest sister of a little girl who was brought to PAHS suffering from severe malnutrition who died a few days after admission. When we took the little body back home, we found 3 other children. Jasmin, 9 at the time, was caring for her two younger siblings, doing the cooking and the cleaning (their mother had died 8 months before this, leaving only Jasmin and their father to care for the little ones). She had never attended school. We took all the children in for nutritional rehab. Jasmin has been with us ever since. She is a sweet and capable girl who is exceptionally eager to learn.

Maylin Villeda, age 20, graduated valedictorian of her high school class two years ago. She is currently attending university classes and would like to become a pharmacist. Maylin's mother was abandoned at PAHS as a malnourished child.