Let's save rural children's futures

In the remote rural settlement of El Vencido, near Talavera in the Anta Department of Salta Province, lives Leonel with his mother Rosa, his father, and his two younger sisters. Their home is located nearly 50 kilometers from the town of Talavera, in an area with very limited access to basic services.

Through our field assessments and interviews, we met Rosa Ledesma, Leonel’s mother—a 26-year-old woman whose life reflects resilience, sacrifice, and love. Rosa lives with her family in a small adobe house with a thatched roof. The home has no bathroom; bathing takes place outdoors, and animals such as chickens and pigs often share the same space as the family. Life in the countryside is demanding, and the physical and emotional toll is visible, yet Rosa continues forward with determination, having learned at a very young age how to face daily hardships as a mother.

Rosa first arrived at Haciendo Camino deeply worried and frightened, carrying her seven-month-old son Leonel. Although Leonel was nutritionally stable, he showed weak muscle tone and delays in stimulation and motor development. He was enrolled in our Child Development in Family Program, where an interdisciplinary team of professionals began closely monitoring his growth and development.

Leonel was born on December 8, 2024. Rosa noticed early on that his development differed from that of her daughters—he was not crawling, could not hold his head or trunk steadily, and was unable to sit on his own. Despite the serious difficulties of transportation and access to healthcare, Rosa made every effort to seek medical attention. However, she had not yet received a clear neurological diagnosis. Leonel had also been hospitalized twice due to myiasis, an experience that deeply alarmed her and keeps her constantly vigilant.

Over the past five months in the program, Rosa’s commitment has been extraordinary. Every fifteen days, she travels 50 kilometers by motorcycle to reach Talavera, then takes a bus—along with other families—an additional 22 kilometers to Tolloche for Leonel’s check-ups. After the appointments, she returns home the following day to care for her daughters and her husband, who is currently suffering from a pulmonary illness.

Rosa explains that everything becomes even harder when her partner is ill, as she must take full responsibility for the household and farm work—caring for the animals, carrying water from the well for cooking, and completing all domestic tasks.

In her own words, Rosa tells us:
“I get tired, but I have to be strong to care for my family. I love my children so much—especially Leo, the son I had waited for so long. That’s why I make the sacrifice to bring him to his check-ups. I have seen so much progress in him.”

Listening to Rosa reminds us why teamwork and long-term support matter so deeply. Today, Leonel has just turned one year old. He can now sit on his own, play, and interact joyfully. He has gained strength and control over his movements, and while walking is still a challenge, he is actively trying to crawl and explore his surroundings.

Equally important is the change we see in Rosa. She smiles more often, feels supported and accompanied, and has improved her family’s living and hygiene conditions. She continually expresses gratitude for the support she receives.

Rosa is living proof that love can overcome exhaustion, distance, and adversity—and that with commitment, accompaniment, and care, real and lasting change is possible.

Links:

• https://haciendocamino.org.ar/