Building Strength Through Skill and Community
At Baja Angels of the Sea, we meet many incredible children, but some moments stay with us forever. One of those moments happened in early November, when we met an 8-year-old girl named Lizbeth at Rancho La Hermosa. She greeted us with the brightest smile, but behind that smile was a struggle she had learned to live with: she could hardly breathe through her nose.
What happened next reminded all of us why we do this work, and how powerful our community becomes when we join forces.
A Phone Call That Opened the Door to Hope
In late October, our founder Bruno Barbieri received a call from Dustin of Aleph Baja, our amazing partner who helped us run Surf Camp and the children’s swimming program this past summer. Dustin wanted to connect us with two remarkable leaders: Armando Valencia and Jan Platovsky, whose nonprofit has been providing transportation and access to critical surgeries for children across Baja California.
One phone call set a chain of hope into motion.
A Day of Visits – and an Urgent Discovery
On November 6, Armando and Jan came to our Baja Angels headquarters to meet Bruno in person. Together, we spent the day visiting the homes we support: Victoria Hacienda Orphanage, a local women’s shelter, and finally Rancho La Hermosa, the newest orphanage we have welcomed into our community.
That’s where we met Lizbeth.
She walked up to us with her hair neatly done and her smile shining, but we could immediately see she was struggling to breathe. Her caregivers confirmed she had a serious medical issue that had gone untreated due to lack of resources.
We knew we couldn’t leave without taking action.
Immediate Action – A Lifesaving Surgery Scheduled
Right then and there, Armando called a local hospital. Within minutes, he secured an appointment — and after the evaluation, Lizbeth was officially scheduled for surgery on December 4, 2025.
Our founder, Bruno, captured the moment perfectly:
“This is the power and strength of collaboration.”
It is because of this shared compassion and the incredible nonprofits working together, that Lizbeth now has a real chance to breathe freely for the first time in her life.
Her Story Inspires and Reminds Us Why We Keep Going
Lizbeth represents so many children across Baja California who are facing medical, emotional, and material needs every single day. Her story is a victory, but it is also a reminder that countless more children are still waiting for their chance at healing, stability, and hope.
And with the help of our community, we won’t stop fighting for them.
🙏 How You Can Help Change a Child’s Life
Every act of kindness makes a difference.
❤️ Donate, sponsor, volunteer, partner, or share our mission:
https://bajaangelsofthesea.com
Your support helps us provide healthy food, clean water, medical care, education, safety, and love — the foundation every child deserves.
💫 Join Our Mission
Lizbeth’s story reminds us why this work matters so deeply. One child’s smile, one moment of courage, and one act of compassion can change the course of a life.
When you volunteer, donate, or share our story, you become part of something powerful – a circle of hope that brings medical care, safety, education, and love to children throughout Baja California.
Your support strengthens the collaborations that made Lizbeth’s surgery possible and helps us reach the many other children still waiting for help.
Get Involved and stand with us as we bring healing, opportunity, and love to the communities that need it most.
Want to stay updated on our outreach missions? Follow our journey as we continue supporting children like Lizbeth. See how your generosity creates real, lasting change for children, women, and families across Baja California.
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