The Hug Woman​

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Nicknamed "The Hug Woman" by one of her fellows at the University Hospital of Caracas, Nancy Rosalia Montilla Reyes is a 65-year-old professor and retired nurse whose green eyes light up when she talks about her career. 

 

The professor expresses a sense of nostalgia and yearning as she recounted how her life changed drastically when the Venezuelan economy slipped into recession. As a consequence of a series of political decisions made in recent years and the ever-increasing devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar, a university professor now receives approximately 13 dollars a month plus some bonuses. This has forced her to completely readjust her way of life and learn how to live with much less.

 

Before, Nancy used to be able to visit the hairdresser twice a week, go to the gym, and enjoy meals at her favorite restaurant with her family on special occasions. Back then, she could easily foot the bill for ten people sitting at the table. But today, Nancy says she finds it difficult to afford going even alone to that same restaurant. Nancy is still very concerned about her appearance, but she had to learn how to do her hair herself at home instead of going to the hairdresser.

 

The effects of time and insufficient investment have caused visible damage to both the hallways of The Central University of Venezuela and Nancy's life. Despite this, the teacher walks down the hallway with her head held high. She remains optimistic, but disenchantment and hope fight in her chest.