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Ana and Olga are featured in the Austin American-Statesman’s Season for Caring Program. Funds raised through this initiative will support them and other families served by Hospice Austin with essential needs like rent, utilities, and groceries. To learn more about this family’s journey or to donate, click here.
Ana Laura Martinez Aranda’s days are filled with the unwavering dedication of a daughter caring for her mother, Olga. Since they arrived in the United States, Ana has been by her side, a constant presence as her mother battles congestive heart failure and end-stage renal disease.
Ana Laura Martinez Aranda with her mom, Olga Aranda Guzman
Back in Mexico, doctors were unable to identify what was wrong with Olga, and Ana watched helplessly as her mother gradually lost the ability to walk and care for herself. Yet, the uncertainty of Olga’s condition was not the only challenge they faced.
Ana made the difficult decision to leave Mexico in search of safety. They had been living in Nuevo Laredo, a city plagued by violence. Ana vividly recalls a harrowing moment when she was on a bus that was hijacked. “They were going to kill us,” she remembers. “But I prayed to God, and for some reason, they changed their minds and let us all off the bus.” In another instance, Ana protected her mother as gunfire erupted around them in their neighborhood. The violence became too much to bear, prompting them to seek asylum in the U.S. They arrived legally in 2023.
Once in the U.S., their journey was still far from easy. They had to navigate Olga’s complex medical needs. As Olga’s health deteriorated, they found support through Hospice Austin.
The family also struggled with housing instability. At one point, they even spent time living in their car. With Olga’s extensive medical needs, including the use of various pieces of medical equipment, this period was especially challenging.
From left, Joseph Martinez Moreno, Olga Aranda Guzman and Ana Martinez Aranda in their home in Austin Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Photo Courtesy: Mikala Compton/American-Statesman)
Amid their struggles, Olga’s grandson moved in to help, offering his support to pay the bills. Ana, a full-time caregiver to her mother, does not have a steady income, making it even harder to make ends meet. Their living situation remained unstable, with the family moving at least five times since arriving in the U.S. Often, they were forced to share a single room, with Ana, Olga, and Joseph all sleeping in close quarters. On other occasions, they had to sleep in the living room, with no privacy or space of their own.
Through it all, Ana has never lost her faith or determination. “We’ve had to fight for everything,” she says. “But we’re never giving up.”
Thanks to the generous support of the Austin American-Statesman Season for Caring, things are finally looking up for the family. They’ve found a permanent place to live, where they now have their own room and beds—something they had been without for so long. This new home gives them the stability and peace they so desperately needed, and Ana is grateful to finally be able to care for her mother in a safe, comfortable environment, surrounded by family.
However, when they came to this country, they weren’t able to bring much with them. They still need living room and dining room furniture, a television, and kitchenwares. They also need an immigration attorney who can help navigate the process and get them ready for their next asylum hearing.
Ana’s story is one of love, sacrifice, and resilience. Despite the immense challenges they have faced, Ana remains steadfast in her commitment to her mother, proving that the bond between a mother and daughter can overcome even the most daunting obstacles. If you would like to help Ana and Olga, you can do so through this Amazon wish list, or email Kijones@hospiceaustin.org.