Mercedes

Maria is 68 years old, retired woman. She lives on her own and is sometimes supported by community members in Palmarcito. She takes care of her little garden and maintains her home every day. Maria suffers from arthritis which is causing her problems when walking. High blood pressure and cataracts cause discomfort and vision strain,…

Victoria is 84 years old. As a young girl, her first job was working with her father in the cotton fields of Acajutla (Sonsonate). Later, she dedicated her entire life to planting and harvesting corn and beans and raising chickens. “The machete and extreme work was my life,” says Victoria. She currently helps take care…

José Montoya is close to 80 years old and has been a farmer forall his life. He has seven children. Known as Don Chema, he has plenty of energy, lifts everyone’s spirits with his guitar, and isn’t a bad singer either. Each time Don Chema visits the clinic, he brings the beans he harvested. He…

Sixty-six years old Guillerma has spent 40 years without teeth. She has survived her whole life making tortillas and sometimes working in the field. Five years ago, Guillerma had an accident that led to her left arm fracture and severe pain and deformity that makes her day-to-day work in the field very difficult. She is…

Manuel is 58 years old. He is unemployed for a long time, although sometimes he gets the opportunity to take care of a ranch. The little income he earns he uses to survive and in the care of his elderly mother. Manuel showed signs of malnutrition, chronic periodontal problems (purulent infection and extreme tooth mobility),…

Alberto is 77 years old that dedicated his entire life to agriculture. He also takes care of the cattle to survive. In the ’90s Alberto worked as a gardener for former president Calderón Sol (1994-1999) who at that time helped him get his prostate operation. All of his children emigrated to America in search of…