A Beacon of Hope: Julfrans’ Second Chance at Life

Written by Shannon Sotomayor , April 1, 2024

Meet Julfrans, a Haitian immigrant and mason residing in the Dominican Republic for the past 20 years. He is a single father to five older children, as, sadly, his wife passed away in 2018.

In the spring of 2023, while en route to Quisqueya, a motorcycle collided with Julfrans, propelling him over a nearby wall and fracturing his shinbone. Although the motorcyclist was unharmed, Julfrans required immediate medical attention.

An ambulance swiftly transported Julfrans to the hospital. However, lacking close family to provide his medical history, determining his required treatment proved challenging. Initially, a blood transfusion was administered to replenish the significant blood loss from his wound. In the Dominican Republic, patients are responsible for procuring and financing all necessary surgical supplies, which remains a difficult and inaccessible task for most.

After two days in the hospital, Julfrans departed, resorting to begging for funds to secure transportation home. Without familial or financial support, he felt it would be impossible to pay for the surgery he needed. Despairing and in pain, he felt humiliated and preferred to die outside of the hospital. Without the means to heal, his wound soon became infected.

Reflecting on his ordeal, Julfrans recounted, “I was struggling mentally because of the physical disability, and I didn’t know when I would be able to get back to my daily work routine. I understand now how good it is to be healthy. I trusted that God would continue to strengthen my faith and I would have the opportunity to work and provide for my needs again.“

Fortunately, Julfrans learned of One World Surgery through Maritza, a community member. The OWS team conducted an assessment and covered the expenses for his corrective surgery at Dario Contreras Hospital in Santo Domingo. We utilize our Patient Assistance Program to address urgent cases like this while we eagerly await the opening of our surgery center, the first ambulatory surgery center in the history of the Dominican Republic.

“I will never forget what OWS did for me. They supplied me with everything to perform my surgery, including transportation to the hospital, and purchasing the materials needed for my surgery. Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you infinitely to all those who made it possible for me to heal.” 

As we celebrate Julfrans’ journey to recovery, we know there is so much more work to be done. The grand opening of our Dominican Republic Surgery Center later this year will extend our reach and impact, providing crucial medical care to more patients like Julfrans who are in desperate need. With your support, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of these patients. Consider donating today to help us ensure that no one is left behind in their time of need. Together, we can transform lives and bring hope to those who need it most.