News

Happy Students

Thanks to so many people who responded generously to the request for donations to purchase laptops for Adelante Mujer students. During  June, Adelante Mujer was able to provide much needed computers to 27 students! What a blessing. Please take a look at the smiles when Kathy Levy, the Adelante Mujer Coordinator in Bilwi, Puerto Cabezas presented the electronic treasures to medical students who will no longer be forced to study using cell phones they own or borrow. 

                                  

 

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On a very sad note we share the news that Dr. Leajheen, who was in her second year of required social service, was returning from a medical duty when the motorcycle she was on, tipped over.  During or after the surgery to repair her broken leg, she died of a lung embolism. A colleague described Leajheen as “A hero in white robes.”    

 

 

Sister Diane  ~  July 2021

Can You Hear It Now…My Heart?

Since the first class of Adelante Mujer students took the Hippocratic Oath on December 12, 2014, each new doctor has been presented a Littmann stethoscope as a graduation gift.  We would pack them into our suitcases when we travelled to Nicaragua and observe the smiles, even tears, as each doctor received her gift.  With the pandemic still limiting travel, our devoted On-site Coordinator, Kathy Levy, purchased the treasures in Nicaragua and blessed each doctor with a piece of medical equipment that will enhance her work, thanks to Adelante Mujer donors.  

Doctors who convened together for the presentation are:

Doctors Keyla, Jenny, Jazmin, Mercy, and Allison

 Individuals who could not join the group are:

             Doctors Judith and Maikelin

 

                                                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of our doctors who received a stethoscope-gift in 2014 told me that another doctor once borrowed her stethoscope and asked her, “Where did you get this?  I could hear so much better!”Hopefully, owning a fairly good stethoscope will help our doctors hear a little better and deliver better care because they have more clarity about the sounds within each patient

Sister Diane ~ June 2021

 

Where Have All the Doctors Gone?

We can proudly tell you where one of the Adelante Mujer doctors has gone and what she has accomplished. On March 26 a member of the first graduating class of Intercultural Medicine and of Adelante Mujer earned her title as Pediatrician from UNAN University in León, Nicaragua. Her letter below describes her gratitude. Each and every donor can celebrate her success which may not have been possible without your help. 

Hello. I am Joice. I was part of the Adelante Mujer program almost from the beginning and with its support I was able to conclude the Intercultural Medicine career of URACCAN University. I have so much to thank for and I have so many memories of Adelante Mujer.  

 

I still remember the day I arrived at the interview with Sister Ann McKean. I remember that Sister Ann thought I could be her interpreter because my friend Ana, who also was coming to ask for support of Adelante Mujer, told Sister Ann that I could interpret for us. That was a moment that caused us all to laugh. I do know some English but I could not be an interpreter!                

To be part of Adelante Mujer was very blessed because with that financial aid there was no need for my mother to worry so much about the expenses for my career. Being part of the Adelante Mujer program from the 3rd year until the end of 6th year, in addition to the financial aid, each meeting with Sister Ann and Sister Diane gave us many words of blessing for our lives. I must say that the support of Adelante Mujer, despite having finished the studies, was always helping us until we received our diploma and obtained our MINSA code number.

On March 26 2021, after three extra years of study, I have managed to conclude a medical specialty in pediatrics. I know that from heaven Sister Ann is proud of what every woman has achieved.  She told us that our training always continues for us to help other people in society, especially our people.

 

I am and will be grateful for the Adelante Mujer program and for every person who has decided to contribute financially to this program. God bless you.

Kind regards,

Dr. Joice ~ May 2021

                                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

Sixty-One Doctors and Counting

Several years ago when Sister Ann McKean, CSA, PhD and I were talking with Dr. Manuel Salas about the goals of Adelante Mujer, we asked how many doctors Nicaragua would need. Thirty? Fifty? About how many? His reply was simple. “We will never have enough;  there is such a terrible shortage.”  “All right,” we decided, “Adelante Mujer will continue to provide financial assistance to women medical students for as long as God and our donors help us.”

On March 24, 2021 another glorious success of Adelante Mujer’s mission became a reality. Seven industrious students pronounced the Hippocratic Oath to become devoted physicians.

 

 

 

The Promotion Ceremony begins with the formal introduction of each student and her escort. Here Jenny and her father are announced as they enter the assembly.

 

 

 

Speeches by various personnel of URACCAN University and the On-Site Coordinator of Adelante Mujer, Kathy Levy, precede the administration of the Hippocratic Oath.

 

 

 

The Hippocratic Oath is administered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Maikelin’s father (right) requests a photo be taken with Kathy Levy (left). He extends his gratitude to all of the donors for their generosity to his daughter. 

 

 

 

 

Presenting Doctors Allison, Jazmin, Jenny, Maikelin, Mercy, Judith, and Keyla

Congratulations T0 our seven newest doctors who will be serving the people of Nicaragua.

Sister Diane, CSA ~ April 2021

 

 

 

 

 

In Her Own Words…

First of all, everyone receives a cordial greeting. I hope you are all in perfect health. 

I am Jessica Ruiz Taylor, I am 19 years old, and I am a student of the 5th semester (year 3) of the Intercultural Medicine Career. I am originally from the City of Bilwi, Puerto Cabezas. I come from a poor but hardworking family, I have 9 siblings, I am one of the youngest. I have two excellent parents who struggle to bring us food home every day, who have instilled in me great values and that today I try to put them into practice to become in a great professional in the health area. 

I really like to dedicate a large part of my time to studies, so that, in the not too distant future I can serve the population with respect, effectiveness, efficiency and, above all, humanism. At my young age I have learned that life is about goals and effort, that if we do not fight to improve our environment, no one will do it for us, and that life is worth living despite difficulties and falls. I believe that this life is based on overcoming every challenge that comes our way, since every time we fall we can get up stronger and become better than before. 

I chose to study this career, because for me it is very valuable, since life is the most precious treasure of the human being and, by training as a doctor, I can help people to have a greater life expectancy, even in their most critical moments… That said, human health, disease and death implies exercising the knowledge of this science for the maintenance, rehabilitation and recovery of the health of those who need it.   

I want to thank you very much for the help provided so far. Not only to thank you for the financial compensation, which of course has been of great help, but also for the fact that I have benefited from a foundation that aims to give medical students a better future. Thank you very much for always keeping me in mind and having accepted my application since my third semester, which corresponds to the second year of the degree, as well as for the trust you have placed in me. This gives me more courage to continue with my studies and thus try to achieve my goals. Also thank you not only for the support you have given me, but also for providing support to my other colleagues in the program. Humanitarian service for me is an act of solidarity and empathy towards the problems that afflict our country. Words fall short if I try to express how grateful I am to all the members of the Adelante Mujer foundation. You cannot imagine how much they have helped me in my training as a doctor. 

God bless you all.     

Jessica, Third Year Medical Student  ~  March 2021

Hello from Nicaragua

I was born in a small village in Nicaragua just along the border of Honduras. Named Catherine Elizabeth Levy Wilson, everyone calls me Kathy. I was the second of five children, two of whom were born with disabilities and are the angels of our family. With them our family learned to accept and love others just as they are.

My great grandfather on the Wilson side of the family was a Moravian pastor who dedicated his life to serve God and the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean coast. The son of this pastor and my great grandmother became the first bishop of the Moravian Province Nicaragua-Honduras-Costa Rica. Their grandson became the second bishop. He is my mother’s brother. Religion and service have always been a strong part of our family.

                                                    Kathy with her sister, Dr. Florence

The Levy side of the family is from Bluefields. My grandmother died giving birth to my father so he was raised by his grandmother and eldest sister whom I loved dearly because I lived with her in Bluefields during the first two years of my secondary school.

My primary education began at the Moravian School in Bilwi, the first two years of secondary school at the Moravian School in Bluefields, and I finished high school run by the Catholic Church where I was able to certify myself as an Executive Secretary. I also studied English before moving to the United States where I got married. I worked in Miami, Atlanta, and in Morton, MS. I returned to Nicaragua to take care of my mom until she died.  

After Mom died I went back to the USA but decided to return to Nicaragua shortly after my dad died and my marriage was broken. I helped take care of my brothers with disabilities until they died. This was the time I decided to study at BICU University where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hotel Administration.  

My employment in Nicaragua was diverse. I was a tour operator, bilingual telephone operator, operations officer for Ministry of the Interior, controller of radio programs, interpreter of English, Spanish, Miskito languages, did assistant nursing, and provided care at Verbo Church orphanage center. I became passionate about being with young people just as I love caring for elders.

                                                        Kathy with Sister Diane in Bilwi

My brother Edward became a mechanic like my dad and my sister Florence became a medical doctor. He specialized in his field in Japan, she in England. They both married and gave me two nieces and two nephews, one of whom I helped raise, and an adopted niece who is now a teenager.

When the previous On-site Coordinator for Adelante Mujer retired, my sister, Dr. Florence, encouraged me to accept the opportunity to serve and contribute to the students’ wellbeing. So I became part of this amazing program that is helping young women in Nicaragua to become doctors who have deep understanding of love and service they are to provide as doctors in their communities. I manage all the distribution of funding from Adelante Mujer to the students and I keep regular communication with the organization in the U.S. Yet, I could say that my biggest work with Adelante Mujer is making sure that all of our students continue always to become excellent doctors.  Adelante!

Blessings to all who are part of this great mission.  My best regards to all.

 Kathy Levy ~ February 2021

The Good News and the Sad

The Good News… 

Donors sometimes ask about former medical students who became doctors.  Well, after they pronounce the Hippocratic Oath the new doctors spend one year as interns who work in the local hospital or in local clinics.  Following the internship, they are required to spend the next two years in “social service” which is a partial payment to the government for the government’s contribution to the cost of their medical education.  The total of nine years is culminated by the presentation and defense of a research paper required by URACCAN University.   Continue reading “The Good News and the Sad” →

The Wind Was Wild

 

It started about 10:00 on the night of November 16. The wind roared as the strongest bands of hurricane Iota barreled across the city where Adelante Mujer students attend medical school in Bilwi, Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. It was the second devastating hurricane to slam their “university town” in two weeks. Together hurricane Eta and Iota caused $743 million in damages. Continue reading “The Wind Was Wild” →

God Provides the Offices; We Gratefully Work in Them

 

When Sister Ann McKean, the foundress of Adelante Mujer, became a resident of the CSA Nazareth Court assisted living facility, her most serious concern was how we would manage the business of Adelante Mujer from her very small bedroom. With providential timing, a small office was vacated just down the hall from Sister Ann’s room. That little office became ours for the next five years. We were always grateful and regarded it as a gift of God.

When Sister Ann’s residence transferred from Nazareth Court to God’s Heavenly Court and because of other circumstances, we were notified that Adelante Mujer would need to find a different office. With the help of God and, we believe, Sister Ann, another office-gift was located. It has an inner and outer office with ample storage, the furniture was donated for our use, and rent is miraculously low. Our Adelante Mujer Board of Directors believes the new office heralds an evolvement and growth of Adelante Mujer which, thanks to our generous donors, has already financially assisted 54 women who are now medical doctors and an additional 49 students in various years of medical school in Nicaragua.

We invite you to visit our new office via the photos below. Please rejoice with us in the consistent and gracious ways Adelante Mujer is blessed to continue assisting women in Nicaragua who rely on us to help them pursue a medical degree.

 

     

 

                 

Bonded by a Photo and a Prayer

It all started almost three years ago when a photo of an Adelante Mujer student was sent to each person on our mailing list. The student’s first name was printed on the photo with the request for prayer for her. The responses received from several recipients were gratifying. “I have her picture on my refrigerator and pray for her often.” “I love to see her smiling face on my dresser.” “Her picture is in my prayer book so I remember to pray for her each day.” Continue reading “Bonded by a Photo and a Prayer” →