At only 34 years old, Wilma* from Boliva had already faced immense loss, having been widowed twice and tragically losing her first daughter in a fatal car accident while she was working as a street vendor in a bustling Cochabamba market.
Reflecting on the immense hardships she has faced, Wilma said, “The truth is, I fell apart. My life was shattered, and it seemed like a nightmare. At that moment, I just wanted to die with her.”
A year later, tragedy struck again when Wilma’s husband passed away. Eight months pregnant at the time, Wilma found herself in desperate need of psychological support to cope with her grief.
After her baby, whom she named Pamela, was born, Wilma poured all her energy into caring for her.
“She gave me the strength I needed to carry on and kept me from falling apart”
Wilma
During the pandemic, Wilma faced yet another loss as she became a widow once again. At the time, Pamela was just over one year old, and Wilma was eight months pregnant with her second child from her new marriage. Despite facing these immense hardships, Wilma knew she had to persevere for the sake of her children.
Wilma’s financial situation made it difficult to afford childcare, and she hesitated to pursue street vending due to her fear of repeating past tragedies. It was during this challenging time that a neighbour suggested SOS Children’s Villages, where Wilma was able to find the support that she desperately needed.
Since then, Pamela has been attending the SOS Children’s Villages children’s centre in Cochabamba, while Wilma received prenatal care and psychological support, including neonatal classes, counselling, as well as successfully securing a space at the centre for her new baby.
Today, Wilma has embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, establishing her own ice cream business with the aspiration of eventually handing it down to her children.
“Now my dream is for them to use this business to get a head start in life and make sure they don’t have to live life empty-handed, suffering like I did.”
Wilma
With the support of SOS Children’s Villages, Wilma’s life has undergone a remarkable transformation. She emphasises the profound impact of the project, providing her with much-needed support and a safe environment for her children.
“I can finally say that I feel happy and I’m very grateful to be where I am in my life,” says Wilma.
After overcoming once seemingly insurmountable challenges, through resilience and sheer determination, Wilma and her family are now able to enjoy a more fulfilling and secure way of life.
*Names changed to protect privacy.