Monica
Monica is an enthusiastic high school student from a happy family led by hard-working parents. Nonetheless, both the economy and health issues have made life tougher than it should be for this family in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. When Monica began to experience sharp pains in her chest, her parents sought the help of a heart specialist, even though neither parent was working full-time.
Monica was diagnosed with “atrial septal defect,” sometimes described as a hole in the heart. Monica took her medication but continued to suffer from frightening bouts of shortness of breath. Surgery was the answer, but just making ends meet was a challenge. Thanks to the help of Solidarity Bridge and Dharma Social projects, Monica’s health has been restored. She is studying harder than ever now!