Catholic Child Sponsorship Programs Make Surgery Possible

Alexander, 14, suffers from severe intestinal problems. When he was 9 years old, he was operated on in Santiago, Chile. For a recent complication of the previous operation, he was transferred back to Santiago. Thanks to the support of Chalice Catholic Child sponsorship programs, he was able to make the trip from his home, a three-hour flight or 22-hour drive.

The doctors decided they needed to remove his colon. For this reason, Alexander was depressed.

Alexander was scheduled to have a surgery to remove the colon. He was very nervous so we here at the Arica Sponsor Site were in daily contact with him while he was in the hospital. I sent him very positive prayers.

One day before the surgery the doctor said that he had found living tissue in the colon and that they could save it with a long treatment. The light returned to Alexander's heart. He could barely get in touch with me to tell me the miracle. Alexander was crying with emotion and told me that he loved me very much. He kept asking me for more prayers, so I sent him one each day.

When I met Alexander, he was a very sad depressed child; now I see a positive Alexander, full of the love of God.

— Veronica Herrera, Site Director, Arica Sponsor Site, Chile