Building Trust with Visiting Parents: Laura and Martier's Story

Oftentimes when families interact with the public healthcare in Honduras they are met by a complex and impersonal system that hands them convoluted instructions and conflicting diagnoses. Confused and suspicious, the family flees, further widening the gap of mistrust between vulnerable Hondurans and the health sector. The following story of a local family illustrates this dilemma and how the mission of Nutrifund can offer families a chance for hope by building trust and understanding.

Laura and Martier lived in fear that their infant daughter was suffering from malnutrition so they decided to check her into the hospital in Yoro. They spent several days in the pediatric unit of the hospital with little explanation and they were scared. Eventually, a nurse informed them, albeit abruptly and without much explanation, that they would be sent to San Yves, the nutrition center run by NutriFund. But Laura and Martier felt there was no context and had no sense of choice in the matter. Their immediate reaction was panic and resistance and both reached the same conclusion: “There’s no way we’re going there.”

This kind of breakdown happens far too often. In many cases, parents like Laura and Martier simply leave. They wait until no one is watching, gather their things, and, out of a sense of fear and protection, disappear. They try avoiding a situation they don’t trust or understand, even when it means risking the health of their child in the process.

Fortunately, in the case of Laura and Martier, the hospital reached out to NutriFund to report the family’s uncooperative response. Soon after, Arianny, a program manager with NutriFund, arrived at the hospital and met with Laura and Martier. She did not confront them with papers to read and documents to sign, however. Instead, she offered them time, empathy, and the willingness to listen. She sat with the couple and got to know them on a personal level, building trust and offering them a clearer path toward a healthier future for their daughter. 

Out of this simple gesture of support, Laura and Martier agreed to visit San Yves. A month later, Laura and her daughter are still with us today. Taking advantage of the new moms’ room we’ve built, both parents have been engaged, cooperative, and deeply appreciative of the care they’re receiving. Their daughter’s condition continues to improve and her discharge date comes closer each day.

In order to continually and effectively serve moms and babies in Honduras, NutriFund understands it must first build trust within the communities it serves by leading with empathy and understanding. This approach is central to who we are as an organization. And it’s not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it produces better results. 

When moms trust us, they’re willing to listen to new ideas and try new things, even when it means stepping out of practices that have been in their family for generations. The story of Laura, Martier and their healthy daughter offers a living, breathing testament to this claim and the vitality of our mission.