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At Vanguard Skin Specialists, we are committed to making a positive impact not just in our local community, but also on a global scale. As part of this mission, our company has partnered with the humanitarian organization World Vision, and many of our medical providers and team members sponsor children through their programs. This February, a group of us had the privilege of embarking on a vision trip to Honduras, where we saw firsthand the incredible work that is transforming communities and changing lives.
A Heartfelt Connection: Meeting Our Sponsored Children
On our first evening, we shared a special dinner with the children that we sponsor. It was a deeply emotional experience, one that reminded us why we are committed to supporting these children and their families. Meeting our sponsored children in person was an unforgettable moment that reinforced the connection between our work and their well-being.
Bringing Clean Water to Granada Abajo
The next day, we visited the community of Granada Abajo, where residents face significant challenges. This rural area has no running water, and the people must walk long distances to fetch water, often from contaminated sources. Public bathing without privacy is a norm, and the unclean water frequently leads to illness, especially in the children.
World Vision is actively working with this community to implement a well that will provide clean drinking water, significantly improving the health and quality of life for these families. This project is a clear example of how access to clean water can help break the cycle of poverty and disease.
Tierra Colorada’s Transformation
Later that day, we visited Tierra Colorada, where a well had been completed. The joy and hope on the faces of the community members were palpable. They now have access to fresh, clean water, which has brought a new sense of dignity and well-being to their lives. Seeing how something as basic as water can completely transform a community was incredibly moving.
Empowering Women in Santa Rosa
The next day, we traveled to Santa Rosa, where a group of women had started a savings cooperative. These women, who had previously struggled with food scarcity, were trained in updated agricultural techniques that allowed them to grow their resources and invest back into their community. The women were proud of their accomplishments and were even training others in the community to do the same. This initiative is a perfect example of how World Vision’s programs help individuals move from a state of scarcity to a state of empowerment, fostering self-sufficiency and hope for the future.
Inspiring Youth Entrepreneurship with World Vision’s RISE Program
Our final stop was in Choluteca, where we met participants in World Vision’s RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Empowerment) program. This initiative focuses on education and entrepreneurship, helping young people create small businesses and jobs for their communities. It was inspiring to see the creativity and determination of these young entrepreneurs, who are not only improving their own lives but also contributing to the growth of their communities.
Creating Lasting Change Through Community Partnerships
One of the most powerful takeaways from our trip was seeing how World Vision’s model of community partnership creates lasting change. By respecting the dignity of every individual and working alongside community members, World Vision is able to foster sustainable growth that benefits entire communities. These partnerships are making a real difference in the lives of people who now have hope for a brighter future.
Join Us in Making a Difference: Sponsor a Child Today
As we reflect on our trip, we invite you to join us in supporting this life-changing work. By sponsoring a child through World Vision, you are directly contributing to the well-being of children and families in need. Your sponsorship can literally save a life, providing access to education, clean water, nutrition, and hope for a better tomorrow. Together, we can help create a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
To sponsor a child through World Vision, please visithttps://www.worldvision.org/sponsor-a-child.
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one.” – Mother Theresa
John Clayshulte, PA-C is a dermatology physician assistant who works at Vanguard’s Central, Pueblo, and Cañon City offices. John worked in an urgent care setting before specializing in dermatology in 2018. John fell in love with the majestic Rocky Mountains as a young adult visiting family in northern Colorado. He joined Vanguard Skin Specialists in 2024 because of their shared desire to serve the community and the world.
ABOUT VANGUARD SKIN SPECIALISTS: Vanguard Skin Specialists is a dermatology, plastic surgery, and aesthetic practice with locations throughout Southern Colorado. Vanguard has long been committed to helping the most vulnerable in the world, with our mission being to make a positive impact on our patients, our community, and our world.
ABOUT WORLD VISION: World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
The work being done in Promesa Del Sur is part of World Vision’s Finish the Job effort, a commitment to reach 650,000 Hondurans with clean water access across the country. World Vision is the largest non-governmental provider of clean water in the world. THRIVE, their flagship household resilience program has been shown to increase household income tenfold.
