OPEN HOUSE; FAMILY SHARES ITS HOME WITH CHILD.

Byline: Angela M. Lemire Staff Writer

An 11-year-old Honduran girl is receiving gifts than cannot be wrapped or placed under a tree this holiday season, but she'll surely remember them for a lifetime.

Strangers here in Santa Clarita have given young Nancy Zambrano their love and hospitality to make it possible for her to undergo costly and complex surgeries at Shriners Children's Hospital in Los Angeles to correct an unusual birth defect. Nancy's spine is so twisted that her rib cage protrudes behind her right shoulder blade.

Janet and Joe Garcia of Newhall have sponsored Nancy in their Glenridge Drive home since July, for the Valencia chapter of the Healing the Children Foundation, a nonprofit group that finds donors to provide medical care for children around the world, and sets up host families for accommodations.

Nancy's spine must be straightened while she's young, because doctors believe the abnormal pressure on internal organs would cause them to fail by her early 20s, Janet Garcia said. Surgeons plan to remove four vertebrae from her spine, then straighten the spine with permanent metal rods and hooks, she said.

After the surgery, Nancy will wear a ``halo,'' a brace that prevents head movement, and remain in traction at least two weeks for the spine to set in its new form.

If a full body cast is needed, Nancy's stay will be expected to last another four to six months and will include physical therapy. If not, she could go home in as little as four to six weeks, Janet explained in an interview this week in her Newhall home.

Around her, the family's two-story home was dressed in its Christmas best, with poinsettias lining the fireplace hearth, holiday songs humming low from a stereo and the family Christmas tree in the corner, setting the living room aglow.

Nancy occasionally wandered past the kitchen table, her dark chestnut eyes glinting with excitement as she talked about the Christmas holiday and her upcoming operation. She absentmindedly hugged Janet about the shoulders.

She is most excited about becoming almost five inches taller, she said in her native Spanish, with Janet translating.

Although the surgery initially was scheduled to take place shortly after her arrival, a long waiting list delayed the operation until late January, keeping her here through the holidays.

Back home in Honduras, Nancy's parents, four sisters and three brothers will take part in numerous events and customs that celebrate Christmas, such as opening presents on Jan. 6, the Day of the Kings. Her family will host parties on the big feast days Dec. 24 and 31, Nancy explained. Another difference in customs is that Honduran children typically attribute anonymous gifts and toys left in their homes to the Kings not Santa Claus, she said.

Like families in the United States, her parents and siblings will decorate a fir tree with star-shaped ornaments and apples, she said.

Janet has greatly anticipated sharing her American holiday traditions with Nancy.

The Garcias planned on going to Janet's sister's home Christmas Eve for a big gathering that promised to include lots of food, caroling, gift exchanges and a special Christmas pageant put on by family children.

Nancy will sing and read a poem.

The family planned to unwrap Santa's presents this Christmas morning, then head off to Joe's relatives' home for dinner.

Nancy has her heart set on a Barbie Dream House and inline skates, but decided to wait at least several months for the skates after talking it over with the Garcias.

The upcoming operation, which will stretch out her spine, is expected to bring on a growth spurt and possibly increase her shoe size, Janet explained.

She added, ``We have to wait and see how the operation goes. She may be in a body cast for another few months.''

The Garcias, married 33 years with two grown daughters, have worked with Healing the Children since 1991 to provide host homes for children in need of medical care.

Numerous children have stayed at their home on a short-term basis or with a parent. But Nancy is the couple's fourth ``primary care'' child; that is, a child for whom they have been chiefly responsible and who will have an extended stay.

Like all children they've hosted, the Garcias expect to stay in contact for years to come with Nancy, and learn of her progress.

Ruben, a 6-year-old Colombian boy who lived with the Garcias for nearly a year before and after open heart surgery, periodically updates them on his progress. Once too weak to walk long distances, he now is able to run and play sports, Janet said.

A similar bond already has been forged with Nancy.

Behind a toothy grin, Nancy said she misses her family in Honduras, but is enjoying her stay with the Garcias.

``They are very nice and their house is very pretty,'' she said, then ducked behind Janet's chair to lay her head on the back of her shoulder.

``When we call them our extended family, that's because they're all very much a part of us,'' said Janet.

She encourages other families looking for hands-on ways to help children to contact Healing the Children.

``Anyone who has a heart and an interest should call us. All they need is a little love to give,'' she said.

CAPTION(S):

Photo: (color) The Garcia family, clockwise from left, includes daug hter Jenny, 23, Joe, Janet and 11-year-old Nancy Zambrano, who is here from Honduras, awaiting surgery.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer