“My son is not growing that well...not as well as the other kids we know that are his age,” shares Santos’ mother. Meet Santos, an 11-month-old infant from Guatemala. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us, “Santos is the younger of two children. His father is a construction worker and his mother works in the house weaving textiles to sell. Santos loves to play with his sister, Shantal. She likes to teach him how to draw and paint.” Santos has acute malnutrition. “Santos is below the average height and the average weight for his age,” WK reports, ”His immune system will weaken, and he will be at increased risk for chronic diseases later in life. He will have limited energy. If his health continues to fall, his family will face an impossible financial burden to get him appropriate medical care.” As a result of food insecurity and marginalization, indigenous Guatemalan villages have the highest rates of stunting in the world. In addition to growth stunting, malnutrition can lead to lower IQ, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. $512 will fund the treatment Santos’ needs to address his nutritional deficit and improve his low energy and subsequent limited mental potential. This involves micronutrient and food supplementation, deworming medication to rid Miguel of a parasitic infection, and nutrition education for his parents. With these combined efforts, Santos will recoup his weight and height and strengthen his immune system, laying the foundation for a healthier future.

“Everyday I feel afraid,” Isabel shares. “I want to heal, and to have more time with my family. We just don’t have the financial resources to afford chemotherapy.” 55-year-old Isabel has cervical cancer. She is a mother of three children and lives in a small home in rural Guatemala. “She told our staff that she has never had a steady job,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Since childhood and adolescence she has worked as a housewife. Her husband is a farmer but he stopped working and supporting her about 10 years ago for undisclosed reasons. Now, she works selling clothing and crafts. Her dream for the future is to have greater success with her business and seek other forms of income for her family. Her favorite activity is attending church with her only brother.” Isabel came to WK after living with uncomfortable symptoms for three years. “She never had the courage or the money to seek care,” WK says. “There is a lot of discrimination against Indigenous people in the public healthcare system.” For $1,430, Isabel will receive chemotherapy to treat her cancer. Not only will she undergo treatment, but she will receive all of WK’s services -- bus transportation from her village to the government hospital, translation while in the hospital, and general case management. “Without assistance, Isabel will be unable to afford the life-saving care she needs,” WK says.