Clinic Tecpán

Gerson is a 14-month-old boy from Guatemala who has malnutrition, a dangerous condition which results from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. He is underweight and small for his age. In the short term, malnutrition means Gerson has little energy to grow and that his immune system is weak. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. On June 22, Gerson will begin treatment that includes growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation to help him recover. In addition, community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. Treatment will give Gerson’s family tools to maintain nutritious diets and will give Gerson a chance to grow healthily. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, requests $492 to support Gerson's treatment. Gerson’s mother says, “I am thankful to the program and the donors for the support we will get. With scarce resources we cannot provide all that our children need. I hope to see a change in my son's health.”

Lucia Felisa lives in rural Guatemala with her husband and one of her sons. She loves to cook and take care of her grandchildren. Recently, Lucia Felisa has experienced abnormal gynecological symptoms. In order to understand her symptoms, Lucia needs to undergo an endometrial biopsy, which is a short procedure that checks for problems in the uterus. With $245 in funding, Lucia will consult a specialist who will perform the endometrial biopsy to understand her symptoms. With a better understanding of how to treat her condition, Lucia Felisa will be able to continue supporting her family and watching her grandchildren grow up. The procedure is scheduled for October 25. She says, "Given my family's tight financial resources, I am very grateful for the support I am receiving to complete this procedure. I hope to be happy and healthy."

Alma Olivia is 51 years old and a mother of ten. She lives with her husband, three of her sons, and her three-year-old granddaughter. Alma works primarily as a homemaker, but also goes and helps out at the local tailor shop in her free time in order to support her family. Recently, Alma has experienced abnormal gynecological symptoms. In order to understand her symptoms, Alma needs to undergo an endometrial biopsy, which is a short procedure that checks for problems in the uterus. With $245 in funding, Alma Olivia will consult a specialist who will perform the endometrial biopsy to understand Alma's condition. With a better understanding of how to treat her condition, Alma will be able to continue to support and take care of her family. The procedure is scheduled for October 25. She says, "God bless this organization that is helping me access funds for my treatment. I am very grateful for the support involved in keeping me healthy."

Gerson is a young boy from Guatemala. He lives with his parents, grandparents, and twin brother in Guatemala's rural coastal area. He is an active, playful boy, and he loves to spend time painting and drawing. Gerson needs hernia surgery. Hernias occur when part of the intestines bulges through a weak area in the muscles of the stomach wall. Small hernias are often asymptomatic, though they tend to become larger over time, and then create bulges, discomfort, burning, and weakness. A few months ago, Gerson got sick with fever, body aches, and pain in his right leg, which continues to be a great bother to him. Without treatment, his hernia will likely grow, the likelihood that he may develop complications will increase, and his pain will increasingly limit his daily activities. Fortunately, surgery for hernias is very effective and often accomplished without even an overnight stay in the hospital. With $400 in funding, Gerson will receive the case management, medication, surgery, and labs he needs to get his hernia repaired. Surgery is scheduled for November 9. With this treatment, Gerson will be able to live without the pain and discomfort. He will continue going to school and playing with his twin brother. Gerson’s mother says, “My twins are the best gift I have ever received from God. I want nothing more than for my boy to be healthy. My sons are my reason to keep going. Please help me to get this surgery for my son, and I hope that God will repay you fully.”

Petronilla is a 52-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis. When she was 27 years old, Petronilla began to have pains in her hands and arms, so she consulted with a doctor at a local health center, who diagnosed her with arthritis. Since then, Petronilla's condition has worsened over time. Petronilla has severe pain and swelling in her joints and extremities every day. This pain prevents her from doing the things she enjoys and carrying out her daily activities, such as braiding her hair and washing her family’s clothing. Petronilla lives with her husband and five children in Guatemala’s rural highlands. Petronilla's first and most beloved profession was weaving and embroidering traditional indigenous women’s clothing. Because of the effects of arthritis, however, Petronilla has given up that work. She now owns a shop, where she and her daughter prepare and sell homemade tortillas. Though Petronilla’s arthritis continues to worsen, she and her family do not have the economic resources to purchase the medications that would help her. This treatment will provide Petronilla with the medications she needs to manage her arthritis. She will no longer have pain while completing her daily tasks. With her arthritis under control, she will be able to live her life without pain and continue to support her family and live happily. Petronilla says, “More than anything I want the pain to go away. I want to be able to wash clothing again, to weave and embroider again. I hope that this treatment will help me be able to do the things I love.” Our medical partner is requesting $629 to fund Petronilla's travel, lab testing, and medication. She is scheduled to begin treatment on August 7.

Gladis is a two-month-old baby girl living with her family in the rural highlands of Guatemala. Gladis's mother has been unable to produce enough breast milk for her, and has resorted to feeding her warm sugar water to fill Gladis up. This limited diet is insufficient and has dangerous implications for Gladis's health. Lactation failure can lead to starvation, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances that cause seizures. Brain development during this period is particularly sensitive and continued malnourishment could put Gladis at risk for long-term damage. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $1,162 to fund Gladis's treatment, which will begin on June 22. Gladis will receive formula, micronutrients, and food supplementation, as well as regular growth monitoring. Community health workers will also teach her mother how to create a nutrient rich diet using limited resources. Hopefully Gladis's continued treatment will allow her to gain weight, strengthen her immune system, and catch up with other children her age. Gladis´s mother says, “Thank you for the support we will get. Thank you to the donors for helping children in Guatemala, especially for helping Gladis. With the help of the program, I will see my child grow little by little.”

Edgar is a 14-month-old living with his family in Guatemala's rural highlands. Edgar's father works as a day laborer, and his mother stays home to care for the family. To supplement the family's income, Edgar's mother weaves and sells traditional Mayan textiles. While Edgar loves to eat, his family does not always have enough money to provide him with the balanced diet that he needs to grow. Malnutrition has stunted Edgar's growth, so that despite his age, he is only the size of a six-month-old. In the short term, Edgar's malnutrition leaves him with little energy and a weakened immune system. If left untreated, malnutrition can also lead to chronic disease, low IQ, and increased likelihood of dropping out of school. Edgar’s parents are very worried about their son, but they do not have the resources to pay for his treatment. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $837 to fund Edgar's treatment, which will begin on June 22. Community health workers will teach Edgar's mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. The treatment program will also provide Edgar's family with the tools they need to make sure Edgar is growing and developing at a normal rate. Edgar’s mother says, “I am very happy to be a part of the program.” She is excited for her son to get the chance to grow up healthy and strong.

Cristian is a 15-month-old from Guatemala. He loves to play with his favorite toy car and eat his favorite foods, which are beans and bananas. Cristian is currently underweight and small for his age. He has malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. In the short term, malnutrition means Cristian has little energy to grow and that his immune system is weak, leaving him vulnerable to illness. However, malnutrition is very treatable. On June 22, Cristian will begin treatment that includes growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $492 to help fund the treatment so that Cristian will gain weight, his immune system will grow stronger, and community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. The treatment will give Cristian’s family tools to maintain nutritious diets, and it will give Cristian a chance to grow healthily. Treatment will give him an opportunity to play, grow, and participate in his family’s lives supported by a healthy brain and body. Cristian’s mother says, “I am very grateful to enter into the program because I know it will benefit my son greatly. I hope for my son to recover.”

Edgar is 17 months old and lives with his family in the rural highlands of Guatemala. He loves to spend time playing with his favorite toy car and ball. Despite his age, Edgar is only the size of a healthy seven-month-old because he has acute malnutrition, a dangerous condition which results from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. In the short term, malnutrition means Edgar has little energy to grow and that his immune system is weak. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. On June 22, Edgar will begin treatment that includes growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation to help him recover. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. The treatment will give Edgar’s family tools to maintain nutritious diets and will give Edgar a chance to grow healthily. To help fund the treatment, our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, requests $837. Edgar’s mother says, “I am ready to learn from the program and I will follow all of the advice that I am given so that my son can be better. I wish for my son to get well so that he can be a happy and healthy child. Thank you to the donors and the institution for the interventions you will bring to my son.”

Wilson is a 14-month-old baby boy from the rural highlands of Guatemala. Wilson is a happy child, as he is frequently found singing and dancing to music. Wilson is experiencing symptoms of malnutrition, a dangerous condition that results from consuming too few calories and nutrients. In the short term, this means that Wilson has little energy to grow, and he also gets sick more often than other children. The long-term consequences of malnutrition include increased risk of chronic diseases and delayed development. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $492 to fund treatment for Wilson. On June 22, Wilson will begin routine growth monitoring and nutrient supplementation. Local health workers will also teach Wilson’s mother about nutrition. These interventions will ensure Wilson grows up strong and healthy. Wilson’s mother says, “Thank you for entering me into the program, for it will be of great benefit, both with the supplements and with the nutrition classes, which will permit me to gain new knowledge and therefore feed my son better. In the future I hope that he can study and become a professional so that he can have a higher quality of life.”

Edwin is a 14-month-old baby from the rural highlands of Guatemala. He enjoys playing with his favorite toy ball and snacking on bananas. Edwin's father works as a day laborer, and his mother weaves and sells traditional Mayan textiles. Edwin is experiencing symptoms of malnutrition, a dangerous condition that results from consuming too few calories and nutrients. In the short term, this means that Edwin has little energy to grow, and he also gets sick more often than other children. The long-term consequences of malnutrition include increased risk of chronic diseases and delayed development. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $492 to fund treatment for Edwin. On June 22, Edwin will begin routine growth monitoring and nutrient supplementation. Local health workers will also teach Edwin's mother about nutrition. These interventions will ensure Edwin grows up strong and healthy. Edwin’s mother says, “I am grateful to enter in to the program. I hope that with this treatment my son will get better and be a more healthy child.”

Kevin is a one year old boy from Guatemala. He enjoys chowing down on watermelon and playing with his little brother. Kevin's mother takes care of household matters, and Kevin's father works in construction. Kevin is experiencing symptoms of malnutrition, a dangerous condition that results from consuming too few calories and nutrients. In the short term, this means that Kevin has little energy to grow, and he also gets sick more often than other children. The long-term consequences of malnutrition include increased risk of chronic diseases and delayed development. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $492 to fund treatment for Kevin. On June 22, Kevin will begin routine growth monitoring and nutrient supplementation. Local health workers will also teach Kevin’s mother about nutrition. These interventions will ensure Kevin grows up strong and healthy. Kevin´s mother says, “I am thankful with the program and the donors for the support they will give. It will be very helpful for my child's growth."