The Courage of Starting Over

When life gave Sandra Hernández every reason to give up, she chose something else: courage.

She didn’t wait for a rescue. She didn’t ask for pity. When hardship shattered the life she knew, she took her youngest daughter by the hand, left everything behind, and decided to begin again — trusting that Christ would walk with her every step of the way.

With the help of her older children, Sandra built a home from wood and hope. No floor. No luxuries. Just four walls and a roof — and the unshakable pride of knowing it was hers. That first step was more than shelter. It was a reclaiming of dignity.

Then came two small lifelines that felt like answers to prayer: a latrine and a scholarship for her daughter. Simple things. But to Sandra, they were reminders that Jesus sees, provides, and sends help in our time of need.

To provide for her family, Sandra woke before dawn and walked for miles to the fields of a nearby town. Rain or blistering sun, she worked the land with bare hands, hauling crops and carving strength from exhaustion. It wasn’t easy, but nothing about her journey had been.

Then, last November, an opportunity arrived. Some friends she knew from San Lázaro Coffee told her the team was hiring for the harvest season. Believing that God was opening a door, Sandra stepped through it.

She picked coffee with care and quiet focus, and her work ethic spoke volumes. Her humility and drive stood out. By the end of the season, she wasn’t just another seasonal worker — she was one of us.

Today, Sandra is a full-time team member. She maintains the land, nurtures the plants, participates in every training, and shows up — every day, with heart and purpose. Her commitment is fierce. Her growth is undeniable. And through it all, her eyes remain on the future: not just hers, but her daughter’s.

Sandra isn’t a symbol. She’s living proof that when a woman chooses to rise, and trusts Jesus to guide her, nothing can hold her back.

Now imagine how many more Sandras are out there.
A latrine. A scholarship. A job. Small acts of support. Life-changing results.