After spending the weekend with Danya during filming, I was fascinated with how fulfilled she felt her life was. She was truly living a life of purpose and spreading hope to children, and to families in Tijuana Mexico. It also opened my eyes to what children in other countries have to deal with – from poverty to feeling love and care, I just couldn’t imagine a child having to go through all that. Between caring for 15+ children in Tijuana and her adult-aged daughter in an assisted living home in Las Vegas, Danya had zero time for herself. ZERO.
We watched transformation happen right before our eyes and the outcome was a new, confident, and compassionate woman and mom. Check out Danya’s interview and her amazing before/after transformation below of Total Mom Makeover!
Watch the ‘Total Mom Makeover’ episode #2:
Danya Gresham
San Diego, CA
Daisy: What are your favorite hobbies and/or types of community service you serve in?
Danya: I started an orphanage/Casa Hogar (foster type home) in Tijuana. I live and serve there.
Daisy: Do you have any children?
Danya: Yes
Daisy: If yes, how many children do you have and what are their ages?
Danya: 2 of my own children ages 19 and 25
Daisy: Walk us through what your mornings look like getting everyone ready for the day:
Danya: Up at 4am to have quiet time before getting the girls up at 5am. I’m in charge of the girl’s dorm (ages 6-14) so I get them up, make sure they’re bathed, dressed for various schools, have their beds made, area clean and dorm clean and are ready for devotions at 6am. Then breakfast for everyone (15-18 kids and 4 staff) at 7am and at about 8:20am they start heading to one of three different schools.
Daisy: How do you typically style your hair on a normal day?
Danya: Pony tail or braid
Daisy: How do you typically apply makeup on a normal day?
Danya: Hah! I wash my face and put on moisturizer. If I’m going any where outside of the house, I’ll put on foundation minimally (depending on where I’m going…if it’s just to the store not so much make-up, if I’m going to a meeting or something, then more make-up). If I’m staying home, then none.
Daisy: How much time do you think you need each morning to get yourself ready?
Danya: Anywhere between 15 minutes to 1.5 hours – depending on what’s happening.
Daisy: When was the last time you made time for yourself?
Danya: Can’t honestly remember. The kids were gone for Christmas break, but I slept a lot!
Daisy: What do you feel needs improvement with your current style and look?
Danya: My hairstyle and clothes.
Daisy: What’s your unique story you’d like to share with the world?
Danya: I had a calling to work with kids in Mexico. I thought I was almost done, my youngest was almost out of high school. God thought it would be funny for me to start over with kids who otherwise would be starving and living on the street. I love every day of it and wouldn’t change a thing. It’s hard to drill down the last 7 years into 150 words, but that’s about it. I gave up my life so these 18 kids could have a better shot at making it…and I love it. My son is volunteering with us right now through the spring semester and my daughter still lives in Las Vegas in a assisted living home.
Daisy: What positive changes have you felt or experienced when you’ve fixed yourself up?
Danya: People notice me. I didn’t always want them to. I wanted to blend in and pass through without being noticed. Now they do and because I’ve had growth over the past two years, it doesn’t freak me out any more and I embrace it more.
Do you want to see the complete makeover of Danya Gresham? Head over to Total Mom Makeover to read the rest of the article.
It’s my 1 year Clean & Sober date Aug 16 then my Birthdsy is on Aug 19 I will be 56