Marlon is a three-month-old boy from Guatemala. His mother is having trouble producing breastmilk. For this reason, Marlon is not receiving adequate amounts of protein, calories, or nutrients. When he cries from hunger, his mother gives him sugar water or asks neighbors to breastfeed him. Without adequate nutrition, Marlon is at risk of developmental delays. Fortunately, he began nutritional treatment on December 22. Marlon lives with his family in a one-room adobe house. His father works as a day laborer, harvesting crops on a local plantation. His mother takes care of Marlon and his sisters and weaves traditional Mayan textiles. Despite wanting the best for their son, Marlon's parents cannot afford the expensive formula he needs. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $1,107 to fund his treatment. Marlon's treatment will be simple and effective. He will receive formula, which will give him the protein, calories, and nutrients he needs to grow and develop. His mother will receive in-home nutrition education, so she will learn low-cost ways to prevent future cases of malnutrition. Marlon's immune system will strengthen, and he will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby.

Four-year-old Murungi presented with left scrotal swelling associated with on and off pain. Our medical partner in Uganda, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), diagnosed Murungi with congenital left hydrocele, a condition causing genital pain and swelling. “At the age of one year, Murungi’s mother noticed his left scrotal was swollen,” AMHF says. “She took him to a health center where she was told it was a hydrocele and advised to take the child to hospital for surgery. She couldn’t afford taking him to hospital because she is a primary school teacher and earns little money, which is mostly spent on house rent and feeding.” Murungi is a bright young boy, and AMHF tells us he really enjoys school. He is currently learning to sing a song in school called “Come and hear the use of education.” For $215, Murungi’s condition will be treated and he will return to school without pain or discomfort. His mother is thrilled that he was presented with the opportunity to receive care free of charge. “Thank you in advance for the treatment you are going to give to my son,” she says.

“Helena makes everyone at home smile because of her activeness and cheerfulness," her mother says. "We want her to continue to be cheerful when she grows up and not look at herself as different from everyone else." Helena has congenital deformity of both feet called clubfoot. This condition will cause her to use the sides of her feet when she starts to walk; leading to a pain and early osteoarthritis if not treated now. "Helena is a happy five-month-old baby girl," her doctors write. "She is very friendly and likes to be carried around. She is the fourth born in the family and her parents are small scale farmers. They earn their money from selling maize and beans. With two children going to school, what they are earning is not enough to cover the cost of their basic needs as well as the cost for treating clubfoot. They need financial support so that their little daughter can walk like the rest of the children." Let's fund Helena's care so she can grow up walking!