Fernanda Melissa Sánchez and Raisha Ríos Sánchez

1989-2020, 2002-2020

This is a story about a healer. 

There’s an old proverb in Costa Rica that goes, “Pueblo chico, infierno grande” or “Small town, big hell.” Fernanda Sanchez and her daughter Raisha knew its meaning from the day they were born. The machismo they encountered growing up hurt their dignity in every imaginable way.

But despite the pain, Fernanda found it in her to become a healer. Food was Fernanda’s medicine. She cooked a divine “casado” with rice and beans that could heal emotional wounds, including hers and Raisha’s.

Domestic violence ended their story on the same terrible day, but Fernanda’s magic recipes continue to mend aching hearts across her beloved Costa Rica.

Esta es la historia de una sanadora.

Hay un viejo proverbio en Costa Rica que dice “Pueblo chico, infierno grande”. Fernanda Sánchez y su hija Raisha supieron su significado desde el día que nacieron. El machismo que encontraron al crecer hirió su dignidad en todas las formas imaginables.

Pero a pesar del dolor, Fernanda encontró en ella la fuerza para sanar. La comida era la medicina de Fernanda. Ella cocinaba un casado increíble capaz de curar instantáneamente todas las heridas emocionales, incluidas las suyas y las de Raisha.

La violencia doméstica acabó con su historia el mismo día, pero las recetas mágicas de Fernanda siguen sanando corazones en su amada Costa Rica.

Help stop other stories from being interrupted by domestic violence.

Safe in Harms Way

Safe In Harms’ Way is a Non-Profit Organization with a mission to change the world of those experiencing and recovering from domestic violence. It is born of an instinct to right wrongs and create an ever-expanding web of goodness. A tight-knit community of women from all backgrounds in the process of leaving abusive relationships behind and fighting for accountability.