"My wish is for my son to grow equally to the other kids, to become big and to go to school," shares Fredy's mother. One-year-old Fredy is from Guatemala, and is the youngest of seven brothers. "When work is available, Fredy’s dad heads to the mountains to tend to cornfields, or collect firewood to sell," says our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). "Fredy’s mom did not realize she was pregnant again, and because of their poverty, she was not taking suffient care of her health. When Fredy was born a couple weeks early, he was so small his mom was very scared that he might die. Now, she is not producing enough milk to feed Fredy and she cannot afford formula as it is too expensive, and she has many mouths to feed in her family." "For a new born baby, access to maternal milk is critical," continues WK. "If milk supply is poor, the baby will begin to lose weight. This almost immediately begins to have impact on potential brain development and, if it is not caught quickly and reversed, it can lead to death." For $1,220, we can treate Fredy for malnutrition and dehydration, and ensure that he develops normally. "This treatment will save Fredy’s brain and his life," WK adds. "It will promote normal growth of the brain, and guarantee he has a chance to lead normal and highly functional life at his full potential."

“I am really looking forward to being a normal boy again,” shares Saw Kyar. “I have been to the hospital many times and I want to be released from having to go to the hospital again and again.” Saw Kyar is a delightful five-year-old boy living with his aunt in Burma! Although he had a difficult upbringing and has faced many challenges, Saw Kyar is growing up well and becoming more active and playful, thanks to the help of family and friends. “Saw Kyar likes playing with his friends and is quite adventurous. He is always looking for different things to do,” says Saw Kyar’s aunt. Saw Kyar has severe burns, causing him serious physical deformities and impaired movement. “He has already received surgery to release a skin contracture on his face, neck, and arm [but] the top of his right foot has also sustained some quite serious burn contractures that make walking long distances difficult,” explain our medical partners at Burma Border Projects (BBP). “If he walks too much and the burn contractures on his foot stretch too far, they begin to split open, causing considerable pain.” “[After surgery] he will be able to walk and play with his friends,” continues BBP, “He will also feel more confident going out in public.” For $1,500, Saw Kyar can finally have the surgery necessary to release the skin contractures. When asked what he wanted to do after surgery Saw Kyar said, “I want to play in my village and go to school.” Let’s get this active boy back running around and playing freely without pain!

This is Lydia, a seven-year-old girl from Kenya. She lives with her younger sibling and two parents, who work hard to support their family. Lydia has a serious brain tumor. It places pressure onto her skull and has led to reduced vision and an inability to walk. Her doctors say the tumor will likely be fatal if left untreated. Lydia’s father says, “I can’t imagine what my daughter is going through. I pray that she will get treatment soon and be able to live a healthy life.” For $1,500, we can fund a craniotomy, a surgery which will relieve Lydia’s intra-cranial pressure and significantly decrease her risk of death. Lydia’s father says that he “prays we will able to get her the support she needs for this surgery.” Let’s answer this hopeful father’s prayers and give his daughter back her health!