Anderson is eleven months old and has malnutrition. He lives with his family in rural Guatemala. He likes to eat papaya and play cars and is learning to stand up on his own. In the short term, malnutrition means Anderson has little energy to grow and that his immune system is weak. If Anderson does not receive treatment, he will also face malnutrition’s long-term consequences, such as increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and higher likelihood of dropping out of school. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients and food supplementation will help Anderson recover. He will begin treatment on February 16. While Anderson’s mother cares deeply for her son and is eager to keep learning about nutrition, she cannot afford Anderson's care. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $437 to fund his treatment. During treatment, Anderson will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger with the increased caloric intake.

Sopheak is a 15-year-old monk. He has two sisters and three brothers. Sopheak has syndactyly in his left hand, a condition in which four of his fingers are fused together. It is difficult for him to hold objects. When Sopheak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for five hours to seek treatment. On November 29, surgeons at CSC performed a procedure to release the index finger and pinky finger of his left hand. After recovery, Sopheak will be able to use his hand. Now, he needs help to pay his $384 medical bill. "I hope that I can hold things easily and much better than before," he says. "When I am healed, I will return to the pagoda."