Thanks to Cabrini College for their visit to Damien House

Damien House was recently blessed with a visit from eight students and two staff members from Cabrini College in Pennsylvania.  The staff and patients of Damien House enjoyed spending time with these special visitors just before Christmas. The Cabrini group showed their Christmas spirit by singing classic Christmas carols such as Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman to the patients. The patients and staff at Damien House thank Cabrini College for their visit and wish them all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christmas Clothes Giveaway

Last week, Damien House held its annual Christmas clothes giveaway. All resident patients had the opportunity to select a number of new outfits and shoes from a wide range of both new and donated clothes. The patients are pleased to spend the Christmas season well-dressed. Thanks to everyone for your donations that make this clothes giveaway possible, and Damien House wishes you a Merry Christmas!

Damien House Thanks DePaul University For Their Visit

Damien House would like to thank DePaul University from Chicago, Illinois for their wonderful visit. Eleven students and a staff member graced the patients and staff at Damien with their energy, willingness to learn, and singing abilities. The girls spent two days at Damien House accompanying the patients and attentively listening to their stories. All at Damien House are thankful for their visit and remind them that our doors are always open.

Pope John Paul II High School Visits Damien

Damien House was recently blessed with a visit by five students and a teacher from Pope John Paul II High School in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Rachael, Greg, Leandra, Hannah, and Tyler and their teacher Alan Lynch spent a week in Durán and Guayaquil with Rostro de Cristo. The students spent two days visiting Damien House and learning about Hansen´s disease, conversing with the patients, and providing entertainment. All at Damien House are very grateful to John Paul II High School for bringing joy, energy, open minds, and caring hearts.

Justino Leon Recovering

Justino Leon has returned to Damien House as he recovers after having his right leg amputated. Leon is in good spirits as he patiently waits for the pain to fade away. Damien House is hoping to raise the thousands of dollars needed to buy a prosthetic so Leon can walk again. We humbly ask for your prayers that Leon recovers quickly, and if possible, any financial contributions that could help Leon to realize his dream of walking again.

Volunteers Brighten Up the Walls of Damien

Volunteers Elizabeth Navarro and Francesca Anzola, American exchange students from the Universidad Espiritu Santo (UEES), are in the process of painting the maps of Ecuador and the United States on the walls of Damien House. While getting to know the patients, the girls tried to get an idea where they were from, but had no way of visualizing the different regions within Ecuador. They imagined that the patients felt the same way upon hearing that they were from Washington or New York. In addition to decorating the walls, the volunteers hope that the maps can provide a better understanding of the geographies of both countries. Everyone at Damien House is grateful for the creativity and hard work that the volunteers bring to Damien House.

Everything Back to Normal After Demonstrations

We would like to let everyone know that things have returned to normal here at Damien House after the police demonstrations and ensuing chaos of last Thursday. Everyone here at Damien House is safe and nothing was damaged. Thanks for your concerns.

Volunteers Provide Much Needed Assistance

Brendon Bradford and Hillary Krombel have been assisting Damien House by working in the wound care room. Both volunteers are aspiring doctors and have been happy to take advantage of the opportunity to gain some experience treating the wounds that are a common symptom of Hansen´s disease. Hillary is studying abroad at the Universidad Espiritu Santo (UEES)in Guayaquil and spends her mornings working at Damien House, while Brendan is volunteering for the year with Rostro de Cristo, a Catholic foundation that invites young adults to spend a year living and working with the people of Ecuador. The patients and staff at Damien House greatly appreciate their hard-working hands and loving hearts.

Colegio Javier Visits

This week Damien House has been graced with the presence of a group of boys from the Colegio Javier, a Jesuit high school here in Guayaquil. They are spending the week conversing and playing games with the patients in addition to helping to clean the hospital grounds. Damien House really appreciates the time and effort they are dedicating to our patients.

Praying for Justino Leon

Damien House humbly asks for your prayers for Justino Leon, who is in danger of losing his leg due to severe ulcers caused by Hansen´s disease. Leon´s unique laugh and wide smile has energized Damien House for years and now he only asks for your prayers for a quick recovery.

The Nutrition Program Returns

Damien House is pleased to announce that we have re-initiated our breakfast and lunch programs thanks to your donations. These programs had been discontinued several years ago due to lack of funding, but for the past year we have once again been able to provide well-balanced, nutritious meals to the patients. Proper nutrition is essential for minimizing the side-effects of the powerful drugs used to treat Hansen´s disease. Thanks to your generosity, our patients no longer have to fear that poor nutrition could worsen their condition and increase their suffering.