Dr. Elsa Avila

Dr. Elsa Avila was born in El Mochito into a family of 4 girls and 1 boy. Following elementary school the family moved to Tegucigalpa. The move was difficult for the family involving hardships owing to the difference between living in a more rural setting vs. the city of Tegucigalpa. However Elsa’s parents wanted their children to be professionals and have a good education. With the help of God, all of the children achieved that goal. Elsa graduated in the faculty of medicine.

She moved to Quimistan with her husband, Dr. Carlos Romero, who is a native of Quimistan. She completed her community service at the public health clinic in Quimistan. Through contacts at the clinic she was invited to give physicals to the Compassion children at the Agape church. While at the clinic she came to know Maynor, our administrative assistant. After some time, Maynor proposed a collaboration to offer consultations at the Agape clinic and subsequently to people in the small villages surrounding Quimistan who do not have access to any health care. This partnership has thrived over the past years. At the same time, Dr. Elsa and 3 other Doctors operated a private clinic. Through the generosity of persons in Quimistan they are currently constructing a hospital in town which should open in June 2009.

Dr. Elsa enjoys living in Quimistan where the people are very humble. The medical brigades whom the Foundation supports allow her to help improve the health of her people, with God’s help.

Nurse Edith Magaña

Edith Magaña serves as the nurse in our medical brigades and in the Agape clinic. She also administers the program for the diabetics in Quimistan. Edith was born in Copan. Her father worked on a farm and her mother was a teacher in the primary school. As a teenager Edith studied dressmaking and became a dressmaking teacher. After giving birth to her second child she started her own dressmaking business in Copan.

As a result of her parents involvement in a serious automobile accident Edith spent 3 months with her mother in the hospital and later on assisted in her therapy. All of this experience created in Edith a passion for nursing. Subsequently she studied nursing in San Pedro Sula. She has been working as a nurse in the private clinic in Quimistan for the last 2 years and with the Agape Foundation since 2008. Edith also volunteers as a kindergarten teacher.

Administrative Assistant Maynor Castillo

Maynor Castillo is our Administrative Assistant based at the Foundation office in Quimistan, Honduras. Maynor was born in Quimistan. He began his studies at the elementary school, Dr Francisco Bogran. At the age of 7 he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis which continues to be a challenge for Maynor as an adult.

Despite the continued health problems, Maynor graduated high school second in his class and went on to study for a Bachelors in Computing in Villanueva Cortes. Following graduation he accepted a post of Quality Auditor at a maquiladora in Villanueva. Subsequently he obtained a scholarship to study at the prestigious university, USAID. Unfortunately his illness forced him to abandon his studies and he returned to Quimistan.

In January 2007 he accepted the position of Administrative Assistant for the Foundation. Maynor believes he has been blessed to be associated with the Foundation and a group of kind, big hearted people. It has given him the opportunity to help the people of Honduras in many different ways via the Foundation's efforts.