Helping kids with disabilities in Peru

Dr. Anthony Lazarra was unfulfilled with his career at Emory University in Atlanta. So in 1987, Lazarra opened Hogar San Francisco de Asis, a children’s clinic in Chaclacayo, Peru. His vision is to cure as many poverty stricken children as possible.

Children in the Hogar suffer from many diseases, including: brain tumors, clubbed feet, asthma, malnutrition, leukemia, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, cleft lip and palate and tuberculosis.

In addition to Lazarra, the clinic has a full staff of day and night nurses, two cooks, a doctor and a spiritual intercessor, Theresa Stowers. She was called by God to her position, according to an article in the Flagler College Gargoyle:

'My mission is to pray, intercede and take care of the doctor who is taking care of the kids,' Stowers said. 'People say we are a good balance.'

She prays with the children, shares her love with them and believes that she is carrying out God’s plan for her.

'Being in Peru is a mission given to me by God,' Stowers said. 'I was enjoying my life in my comfort zone when God spoke to me in my heart one day. When God tells you to do something, you do it.'

The clinic is looking at expanding. Its facility is made for 45 children, but houses more than 60 at times because Lazarra never turns anyone down.