“My brother and I are in a very bad position… It’s hard to understand why god made us like this and why we have lived through so many bad things,” Jasinto Moreno says.
Jasinto and his brother Omar have spent the majority of their lives in a one room home their father built. They watch television, play games and work when possible – going outside is hardly an option.
“Our health is very fragile and we always need someone to push our wheelchair. We don’t leave this room very often,” Omar told me.
The two brothers were born with Glass Bone Disease. A genetic bone disorder that does not allow ones bones to develop properly and makes them very fragile. Both brothers are over 20 yet have the figure of a small child. And a complete lack of resources have kept them away from any form of physical therapy – leaving their bodies in worst shape than they could be in.
“Some days we eat others we don’t,” Omar told me as he sat on his bed.
Having lost their mother 5 years ago to cancer, their father is the only bread winner in the house. He works as much as possible but having to also care for the brothers it has become hard to make ends meet. This is why the two brothers have started their own business! Through art the two are generating some extra income to help pay for basic things like clothing and food.
“My brother and I make bracelets, picture frames, paintings and many other things,” said Jasinto.
The problem is that Cuencame, the community they live in, is very small and orders come in once every never. But the two are optimistic that good things are just around the corner.
“Sometimes we ask god why we are still alive… It is a very hard life, but he must have a plan for us too,” Jasinto said.
After telling the two how much their story has inspired me, Omar smiled for the first time since I had arrived and said – “I think sometimes that we are an example for people to be more thankful for the lives they have. A lot of people have perfect bodies and perfect health and still complain about the little things.”
I left their home very emotional today. These two boys have had such a hard life yet still choose to see the beauty each day holds. They are jailed in their home with no money, no resources… they have been forgotten.
At one point I told them they must dream big and Jasinto looked deep into my eyes and said, “I stopped dreaming a long time ago. Life has taught me not to dream.”
As soon as I left their home I posted a picture of the boys and their father with a simple caption underneath explaining their situation. In less than 4 hours my sponsors’ Mellohawk Logistics made a donation of $500 for the boys!!!!! I cant thank them enough.
The next morning before leaving Cuencame I returned to Omar and Jasinto’s home. I told them about the amazing news and that they had to dream big because anything is possible.
“Even riding horses from Canada to Brazil,” Omar added.
