With Elsa Torbisco Enciso
A stomach bug is doing the rounds and I’ve caught it too. So I go to the store two blocks away to buy some rusks. Loud shouts come from a side street. “Doctor Klaus, Doctor Klaus!” – An unknown woman storms towards me. I look at her questioningly. “My daughter saw a video about Diospi Suyana on YouTube and that’s why I’m here!” – “Where are you from?” I try to get an overview.
“We live in Lima and my mom is ill. That’s why we traveled to Curahuasi. My mom is now being treated in hospital!”
“How old is your mother?” – “She’s 87 years old!” – I really don’t know whether such a long journey of over 900 kilometers is a good idea for a sick woman of advanced age. “Why did you do that?”
“The doctors at the Diospi Suyana Hospital are simply more serious about their work,” says the friendly woman. “By the way, I am currently reading the book ‘Hope in the Andes’. It’s all about her childhood and even about her parents!”
As I need a news item for the website anyway, I quickly take a photo of my conversation partner. And last but not least, Elsa Torbisco (that’s her name) records a clip. “Please say hello to my daughter and my two grandchildren in Lima!” – I am happy to fulfill her wish.
“I’ll take you to our website!” – “Yes, yes, no problem,” she says and we part ways. In a strange way, I suddenly feel better. Whether it’s the rusk or Elsa, I can’t say. But one thing is for sure, Diospi Suyana has been a blessing for hundreds of thousands of Peruvians from all over the country. God is so good! /KDJ
