Every organization, regardless of its field of focus, has a supreme objective above all else: to live out its MISSION day by day. This mission encompasses not only the active participation of team members and the passion they bring to their daily tasks but also the positive impact on the lives of those who benefit from these efforts.
Since 2018, ADEFAGUA has relentlessly pursued its mission, which states in part: To work toward a complete state of emotional, psychological, physical, and social well-being for children and adults, supporting their growth and development.
The case of Martin Winter, in the year 2022, is a clear example of how ADEFAGUA can transform lives.
Martin is now seven years old, and despite his young age, he has experienced complex situations that, if not properly addressed, could affect him for life.
When consultations about Martin’s case began, his grandmother explained that Martin’s mother, who had previously had legal issues, wanted to abort him. In the end, she abandoned him, leaving his grandmother to take care of him. His grandmother, however, expressed that she found it difficult to control his behavior.
Martin’s life revolves around two key people:
✓ His grandmother, who has limited income from working at a tortilla shop.
✓ His aunt, who owns a tortilla shop and serves as his legal guardian and authority figure, enforcing discipline through aggression. She also takes care of other nephews.
Growing up in this environment, Martin displayed several concerning behaviors in his early years, including defiance, a sense of abandonment and sadness, and constant conflicts with his cousins and family members.
His feelings of abandonment, in a setting marked by alcoholism, drug addiction, child neglect, a lack of emotional awareness and regulation, and psychological violence in family relationships, were a daily reality for him.
His situation also negatively affected his height and weight, personal hygiene, constant hunger and fatigue, and improper clothing. He often appeared hostile and tense, his speech was impulsive, and he struggled to express himself appropriately for his age.
When therapy sessions with Martin began, it became clear that his greatest source of distress was his mother’s abandonment. His only emotional connection was with his grandmother, who, at one point, explicitly stated: “I can’t take care of him anymore.”
Martin also struggled to resolve conflicts peacefully and often reacted aggressively, making it difficult for him to express his emotions in a healthy way. This had caused him significant sadness.
The Road to Transformation
Working with Martin involved several therapy sessions, focusing on understanding emotions and learning how to manage them. A critical part of the intervention was changing his environment to provide him with a safe and supportive place to live.
With the necessary coordination, Martin was able to be placed in the Valle de los Ángeles Orphanage in Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala.
This orphanage is an ideal place for Martin, where he will receive education, care, and protection in a safe environment free of addictions. Additionally, he will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, helping him build a better future and become a positive force for change.
ADEFAGUA remains committed to creating more stories of transformation and hope every day. Through our team of dedicated professionals, we continue to work tirelessly to foster emotional, psychological, physical, and social well-being for all individuals.
(*) For privacy reasons, Martin’s image is not used.
Photo credit: https://casa-guatemala.org/