Intituto Panamericano

Anny Sanic is a very enthusiastic and fun four-year-old girl from Guatemala. She lives with her mom and dad and loves to play with her dolls. She also loves to eat lots of bread and sing songs. Anny Sanic needs pterygium correction surgery. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. Common symptoms of a pterygium include redness, blurred vision, and eye irritation. Depending on how large the growth is, it can cause vision loss. Anny Sanic needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. She will receive further evaluation from an eye specialist, surgery to remove the pterygium, post-op follow-up treatment, as well as accompaniment and transportation throughout the treatment process. Pterygium surgery is safe, effective, and will positively impact Anny Sanic's life for years to come. The total cost of her procedure, scheduled for October 18, is $1,487.

Jairon is a young boy from Guatemala. He lives with his parents and siblings in Guatemala's rural western highlands. Jairon loves to spend his time playing with the other children in his village and eating his favorite foods: eggs and beans. Jairon has strabismus, a condition that occurs when the eyes do not align in the same direction and appear crossed. Symptoms of strabismus include double vision, uncoordinated eye movements, fatigue, headache, and loss of vision or depth perception. Jairon was born with an advanced strabismus, and therefore has always had difficulties seeing. He also often feels bad about his condition because other children make fun of him for it. If left untreated, Jairon's vision could be permanently damaged and irreparable. Fortunately, Jairon will receive strabismus correction surgery on February 20. He will receive consultation with a trusted eye specialist before and after surgery, and he will be accompanied by one of our medical partner's staff members throughout the entire process. The surgery itself is fairly simple and requires just a day or two in the hospital. Now, our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $1,500 to fund this treatment. Jairon will be able to see clearly for the first time in his life, and he will feel happier and more confident. Jairon's mother says, "I want my son to receive this operation so that he can be like other children and then they won't make fun of him anymore. I thank you for this help. May God bless you."

Bartola is a 55-year-old woman who lives with five of her seven children in rural Guatemala. She works as a housewife, cleaning and cooking. In her free time, she weaves traditional Mayan textiles and takes care of her family. Bartola needs pterygium correction surgery. Common symptoms of a pterygium include redness, blurred vision, and eye irritation due to a growth that covers the white part of the eye. Bartola’s eyesight has been worsening for many years now, and her eyes bother her on a daily basis. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, Bartola is scheduled to receive her treatment on August 3. She needs help raising $1,487 to fund treatment. Treatment for Bartola’s condition is straightforward. First, she will consult with a trusted eye specialist, and then receive correctional surgery and follow-up. The change to Bartola’s eyesight will be immediate and vision-saving. Bartola will be able to do her favorite activities again, such as weaving and going to church.

Rachel is a two-year-old girl from Guatemala who lives with her parents and younger sister. She is an active girl and adores playing with her younger sister and their dolls. Rachel also loves to eat her favorite foods, which are watermelon and chicken soup. Rachel has strabismus—a condition in which the eyes do not align in the same direction and appear crossed. Symptoms of strabismus include double vision, uncoordinated eye movements, headaches, and loss of vision or depth perception. If left untreated, Rachel’s vision could suffer irreparable damage. Throughout her short life, Rachel has already had to receive treatment for malnutrition, physical and speech therapy, leg-lengthening orthotic braces, and glasses. Because of the severity of her eye condition, our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $1,500 to fund Rachel’s eye surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 4 and will involve consultations with a trusted eye specialist before and after surgery. Following treatment, Rachel will have healthy eyes for the first time in her life. Rachel’s mother says, “I dream for my daughter to have more opportunities in her life. I hope that she can study in a university."

Angela is a 58-year-old homemaker from Guatemala. She has three adult children and lives with her daughter and grandchildren. She helps her daughter by taking care of her two young grandchildren. Angela has struggled with her eyesight for many years now. She has never been able to afford to go to the doctor to get her eyes checked. Recently, Angela got the opportunity to attend a free clinic to get her eyesight tested. At the clinic, the doctors told her that she needs glasses to fix her blurry vision and inability to see faraway objects. Angela is unable to pay the expensive cost of personalized glasses. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $552 to fund an eye ultrasound and travel fees and to fit Angela with prescription lens glasses. These glasses will help Angela see better. She will be able to live and work more easily, and she can continue to take care of her family. Angela says, “I am happy and wholly grateful for the support that I am receiving. They did some exams for me and I thought that my eyes could never be fixed. But, the doctor indicated that with glasses my vision could get better. This will help me greatly.”

Ismael is a 55-year-old man who needs eyeglasses. Ismael lives with his family in Guatemala’s rural highlands. He has always struggled with problems with his eyesight, but could never afford to go to the doctor to get his eyes checked. One month ago, Ismael was afforded the opportunity to attend a free clinic and have his eyesight tested. At the clinic, Ismael was diagnosed with myopia, or nearsightedness. In order to fix his blurry vision and inability to see faraway objects, Ismael needs glasses. Ismael will be receiving his glasses from Intituto Panamericano, a care center of our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq. Wuqu' Kawoq is seeking $552 to fund the tests necessary to prepare Ismael's glasses, as well as the glasses themselves. His glasses will help Ismael see better, which will help him in his work and daily life. With this support, Ismael will be able to live and work easier. He says, “I am very grateful to the institution for helping us. We are many people who need help, and I hope that you can continue working to benefit other people. Thank you to the organization and the donors for this work that you do.”

Magali is a 28-year-old woman from Guatemala. Magali is single and lives with her parents in Guatemala's rural highlands. With a passion for studying, Magali is taking weekend university classes, while working a full-time job and assisting with her family's business. Magali has always had problems with her sight, but she has never been able to afford a visit to an eye doctor. However, a month ago, Magali was able to get her vision checked at a free clinic. In this visit, she was diagnosed with myopia, or nearsightedness. Through our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, Magali is scheduled for an eye evaluation and to receive prescription lenses on June 12. She is requesting $552 to cover the total cost of her treatment. With a pair of glasses to fix her blurry vision, Magali will more easily be able to work, study, and support her family.

Elder is a 29-year-old man from Guatemala. He lives with his family in the country's rural highlands. Married with two children, Elder is the main provider for his family's needs. Since he was a little boy, Elder has struggled with his vision, but he was never able to afford a doctor's visit in order to get his eyes checked. A few years ago, he was able to go to a clinic and receive an eye exam and free pair of glasses. This prescription is now out of date, and Elder is in need of a new pair of glasses. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $552 to cover the cost of Elder's new glasses. He is scheduled to receive his new prescription on June 9 at our medical partner's care center, Intituto Panamericano. "I am very happy and grateful since I attended the clinic," Elder says. "After undergoing the exams and procedures I hope that I will receive glasses because it will help me greatly.”

David is a 30-year-old man from Guatemala who lives with his family in the country's rural highlands. When David was just a baby, a small branch perforated his eyeball. He has had trouble with his eyesight ever since, having experienced a number of eye infections and still requiring eyeglasses in order to see. Today, his eye bothers him more than ever before, and his prescription has become ineffective in helping his vision. Having formerly never been able to afford a complete checkup, David was able to go to a free eye clinic one month ago and receive a full eye exam. The doctors at the clinic prescribed David a new pair of glasses, however he does not have the resources to purchase them. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $552 to cover the cost of David's new glasses and prescription lenses. He is scheduled to receive these glasses on June 9 at our medical partner's care center, Intituto Panamericano. These new glasses will help David to see better, supporting him in his work and daily life. “I will forever be grateful for this support," says David.

Carminia is a 41-year-old mother and wife from Guatemala. She has one child and works as a homemaker while her husband works in the local countryside. Carminia developed cataracts in both of her eyes years ago, and they have only gotten worse over time. This has lead to blurred vision, irritation, and tearing, and she no longer feels comfortable leaving her home alone. Carminia sought treatment through our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, and is now scheduled to receive cataract repair surgery on June 23. Due to the complicated nature of her cataracts, Carminia will require more evaluations and post surgery care than usual. The $1,500 requested by Wuqu' Kawoq will cover all of the expenses of her procedure, transportation, and care. Carminia says, “I do not have the words to thank the institution for all the support we've received. All that I hope for now, is that my operation goes well.”

Mynor is an eight-year-old boy who lives with his parents and brother in Guatemala. Mynor’s father works several days a week, and Mynor’s mother contributes to the family income by preparing snacks and other foods for local schools and organizations. Mynor has strabismus. This means his eyes do not align in the same direction, and appear crossed. Mynor has complained of problems with his vision for years. He often has difficulty seeing the blackboard in his classroom, and reading is a struggle. Mynor’s parents are very worried about their son’s eyesight, knowing how difficult it is for Mynor in school. Other symptoms of strabismus include double vision, uncoordinated eye movements, fatigue, headache, and loss of vision or depth perception. If left untreated, Mynor’s vision could be permanently damaged. Mynor will receive a strabismus surgery on the muscles around his eyes to alter the way they align. As part of his treatment, he will receive a consultation with an eye specialist before and after surgery, and he will be accompanied by a staff member from our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, throughout the entire process. The surgery itself is fairly simple, and requires a day or two in the hospital. With this treatment, Mynor will have healthy eyes for the first time in his life. He will be able to see clearly, which will help him in his studies and impact his life for years to come. Mynor’s mother says, “I feel a great happiness and gratitude for this amazing support that you are giving to my son. Thank you for helping people like us and for worrying about our health.” Watsi is requesting $1,500 to fund Mynor's procedure.

Ana is a five-year-old girl from Guatemala. Her mother used to work in a neighbor’s house, doing laundry, washing dishes, and preparing meals. However, she recently had to leave her job to take care of Ana. Ana has both cataracts and strabismus. Cataracts occur when the clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Strabismus is a condition that occurs when the eyes do not align in the same direction and appear crossed. In Ana’s case, these vision defects make it difficult to see, and they worsen over time. She has had symptoms since she was born, and often complains that she has trouble seeing. Ana needs surgery to fix these conditions. Without intervention, her vision could be irreparably damaged. Ana’s mother cannot afford to attend a consult with an eye specialist, or the expensive surgery Ana needs. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $1,500 to fund Ana’s eye surgery. Ana will receive further evaluation from an eye specialist and surgery to remove her cataracts and correct her strabismus. She will also receive post-op follow-up treatment and accompaniment and transportation throughout her treatment process. This surgery is safe, effective, and will positively impact Ana’s life for years to come. Ana’s mother says, “We are so grateful for this support. I hope everything will go well with the operation, and that next year Ana will go to school. She is very excited about this.”