Origin: a Latin derivative
meaning "Gift of the Earth."
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Wellness Advocate Volunteers to Help Orphans in Honduras with HIV and AIDS
January 21, 2016
Montaña de Luz provides shelter and support for orphans in Honduras struggling with discrimination as a result of HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis and other infections.
Four years ago, doTERRA Wellness Advocate Lynn Civali started on a journey to help orphans when her husband gave her a child sponsorship for Christmas—giving her the opportunity to support an orphan boy through Montaña de Luz. This nonprofit organization provides a home for orphaned children in Honduras, most of whom have HIV or AIDS. Lynn began corresponding with this boy through letters and pictures, and slowly got more involved with the orphanage and their mission.
Montaña de Luz is a home for over 30 children affected by HIV and AIDS in South Central Honduras. For the past several years, Lynn has volunteered to help with fundraising, mission trips, and to simply promote the mission of Montaña de Luz. Some of the children in the orphanage suffer with cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, while the majority of them have HIV or AIDS and suffer from related infections and diseases.
Sixty percent of people living with HIV and AIDS in Central America are in Honduras. Conditions like herpes, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other infections are common health threats that often face those with HIV and AIDS.1 Those living with HIV are at a higher risk for the hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, since it is possible to be co-infected with both HIV and viral hepatitis.2 There are many co-infections related to HIV and AIDS, making the symptoms widespread and often overwhelming.
Aside from physical challenges, the kids at Montaña de Luz must face a discriminatory culture and society. Despite the high percentage of people living with diseases like HIV, AIDS, and hepatitis in the area, many of these children face discrimination and bullying because of their disease. The orphanage aims to educate the community about HIV and AIDS and help the children live normal lives as they attend school in their local village.
While she continues to sponsor children at the orphanage, Lynn does a lot of volunteer work to help Montaña de Luz accomplish their goals of empowering the children and providing for their needs. To learn more about Montaña de Luz and the children they help, visit their website: www.montanadeluz.org
