She Stopped Going to School at age 12

Concepcion was 14 years old when she walked into the clinic at Hospitalito Atitlan in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. Her father, Juan, walked in beside her.

He brought her because he didn't know what else to do.

For two years, Concepcion stayed home. At 12, her vision had gotten so bad she couldn't see the whiteboard from anywhere in the classroom. So she stopped going.

She stopped studying. In a lot of ways, She stopped being the kid she'd been.

Juan told the team she had grown shy. The girl who used to engage with the world now retreated from it. He believed it was her vision that had changed her.

Dr. Humpherys spent a long time with Concepcion that day. A thorough exam. Careful attention. When it was over, he had a prescription: -7.75. A level of nearsightedness that had made her world, beyond arm's reach, completely unreadable.

Hope Alliance ordered her custom glasses, which will arrive in Guatemala in 10 to 12 weeks.

But Dr. Humpherys didn't want her to wait that long.

He found a pair of repurposed frames in the clinic's supplies. They weren't a perfect match, but they were close: -6.75. He placed them in Concepcion's hands and asked her to try them on.

She put them on.

With those borrowed lenses, Concepcion can now see at 20/30. Clearly enough to read. Clearly enough to return to the classroom. Clearly enough to be, again, a 14-year-old girl with a future in front of her.

When her custom glasses arrive, she'll have an even sharper view of what that future holds.

This is one story from one week in Guatemala. There were many more. Because of your support, our team was there to tell them.