Ericka is a 10-month-old girl from Guatemala. She traveled over five hours with her family to make it to our clinic. She suffers from a rare genetic disorder called propionic acidemia. This means that she cannot metabolize proteins in a normal way, and for this reason she has to have a very low-protein diet. Ericka lives with her family in a rural community in the Pacific coastal region of Guatemala. Ericka loves to eat strawberries and play with her mother. Her mother is unable to work because of Ericka's special needs, making it difficult for her to be able to make money to support Ericka's medical care. Ericka needs to receive a full diagnostic workup to identify any brain abnormalities that may have been caused by not eating a diet that her body can tolerate. Currently, she still cannot sit up on her own, and likely will not be able to for a while--because of her condition. Also, she needs a special diet in order to avoid the risks of high ammonia in the blood, stroke, and sudden death. $1,385 will fund diagnostic testing for Ericka, and allow her medical team to determine the best course of treatment for her moving forward. Funding will also go toward her initial treatment. "Our dreams are to see her grow one day, and get better," Ericka's mother shared. "Maybe she could learn to walk. We appreciate the support we will receive for our baby."

Thet is a 25-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. She has three brothers and two sisters, and enjoys helping her mom do work around the home. In November, Thet was driving her moto when a truck almost hit her head on, causing her to lose balance and fall to the ground. She lost consciousness for one hour and had a forearm fracture plated at a nearby hospital. The accident caused a brachial plexus injury (BPI) on Thet's left side. The brachial plexus is the network of nerves that sends signals from the spine to the shoulders, arms, and hands. Thet currently does not have any movement of her biceps, triceps, or hands. The upper arm has normal sensation, but her left forearm has none. Her left hand has only tingling sensation. Thet and her mom traveled four hours to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. A BPI surgery will involve diverting a nerve from one destination and sewing it into the non-functioning nerve. It can take three-to-six months before full recovery of function is typically seen. "I hope I can use my hand again after surgery," shares Thet. "When I am healed, I will go home and continue working in the factory."