Transiciones – Capitulo 1

A month into my experience, how have I not yet written about my work at Transitions?!

I think I’ve been a little intimidated. There is too much to explain—all our programs, all the people. How can I share all the stories that need to be told?

Writing about Transitions and my work here has to be an ongoing process, as the organization alone deserves over 100 blog posts. So, be on the look out.

One of my tasks these past few weeks has been to write and translate some of the stories of Transitions staff and clients. And I’m excited to share them, because what a better way to start explaining my work here?

Diego Marroquin (personal account)

My name is Diego Marroquin. I am 21 years old, and am from Guatemala. When I was 15, I was selected to play professional soccer, so I stopped my studies, and supported my family with my earnings from soccer. My future as an athlete was bright, and I was excited.

One and a half years ago, as I was walking to my house with a friend, a vehicle approached us and shot us both. As we lay on the ground, scared and in pain, the car disappeared. My life changed dramatically that day. I am now a paraplegic.

Everyday, I thank God for the opportunities I have found at Transitions. Here I found the support I needed to recover, and regain my motivation. Now I’m studying to finish high school, and I’m training to be a wheelchair manufacturer and repair technician at the Transitions wheelchair workshop.

My peers at Transitions have taught me to be excited again about my future, and to again become an athlete, because I am now part of the Transitions wheelchair basketball team.

Hasler Suarez Trujillo

When Hasler’s mother was pregnant with him, she lost her husband to Guatemala’s violence. Two years later, Hasler, his mother, and 3 older sisters were walking home from church, when a car crashed into them. Hasler lost his right leg, and his mother, her left leg. Both lost their legs above the knee and fortunately received prosthetics.

Like any 11 year-old, Hasler grew taller. Yet as he grew, his prosthetic leg did not. His prosthetic became 10 cm too short, causing Hasler severe back pain on his daily walks to school, a condition that doctors warned could rapidly develop into scoliosis. But his family could not afford another prosthetic leg.


Thanks our Prosthetics Workshop (and the support of World Emergency Relief ), Hasler now has a new prosthetic, and walks to school free from pain. Doña Mariam, Hasler’s mom, describes her son as extremely active and enthusiastic. She has been impressed with his studies, as have we. We are excited to watch Hasler as he continues to grow into an outstanding young adult, helping provide for his family, and continuing to share his story.