A Down Syndrome Baby Abandoned: A Priest Steps Forward to Adopt

In the vast and complex world in which we live, there are extraordinary individuals who spend their efforts and energy every day helping others and easing the hardships of those who seem less fortunate than others.

These special people, with a generous heart and deep compassion, plunge into the challenges of existence to bring a little light and hope to dark places and desperate situations. With love and humanity, they get up every morning with a single goal: to make a difference in the lives of those who need it. An example is Father Omar Sánchez Portillo, a priest from the city of Lima, in Peru.

Father Omar is one of those people who does his best every day to help others and bring a little relief to those who seem to have been born “less lucky” than others. As director of a shelter for boys, girls, adolescents and the elderly located in the Lurín area, he manages to help many children and the elderly who have suffered injustice and mistreatment and who have turned to him and his association.

On his 51st birthday, Father Omar received what he himself would define as a blessing: a newborn with Down Syndrome in need of a family that can care for him.

Ismael is a 2-month-old baby who was abandoned by his young mother, a 17-year-old girl with alcohol problems and never-treated schizophrenia. The little one needs love and care, but fortunately he met good Father Omar along the way, who immediately offered the baby a home.

The priest did not think twice and decided to take care of little Ishmael himself, adopting him. With his Association of the Beatitudes, Father Omar manages to shelter and receive many young people and old people in difficulties. His team is made up of many lay people who strive to provide assistance to all the guests present, including little Ishmael who can finally live in a place full of love.

On his Facebook profile, the priest thanked the Lord for giving him this possibility, as well as this immense gift: “Thank you for the gift that you gave me, Jesus, for my birthday! You never cease to amaze me, my Jesus. Welcome Ishmael! Bringing you here from Cuzco has been an adventure, the first of many that we will experience together”.

Padre Omar is truly a tangible example of altruism and how a free gesture of love can be capable of changing the world.