Wendy is a 14-month-old girl from Guatemala. Her family cannot afford to give her a nutritious diet filled with protein, calories, and nutrients. She has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. She has little energy to grow, and her immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. She is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Wendy began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016. Wendy lives with her father, aunt, and cousins in an adobe home with a tin roof. Her father works as a day laborer, and her aunt takes care of her. Even though they want the best for Wendy, they cannot afford this $512 treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Wendy recover. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age, and her immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Wendy a chance to grow healthy and strong.

Khaing is a 35-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his parents, younger sister, brother-in-law, and baby nephew. He has earned a living as a gold panner since he was 14 years old. Khaing and his brother support the family. When he was 15 years old, Khaing was catching a fish in a stream when he injured his left eye. He temporarily lost his vision in that eye. Over the years, his symptoms waxed and waned in severity. When his vision was clear, he was able to work. However, direct sunlight caused severe headaches and induced tears in his left eye. He often relied on painkillers. As his condition worsened, Khaing became unable to work. To supplement the family's income, his younger sister started to work as a day laborer. Recently, Khaing visited a clinic covered by our medical partner, Burma Border Projects. On October 28, he underwent a CT scan. The total cost of the CT scan is $414, including the cost of the outpatient nurse and follow-up visit. Using the CT scan, Khaing's physician will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendation.

Cristofer is a 15-month-old boy from Guatemala. His parents have had trouble affording foods rich in calories, protein, and nutrients. He has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Cristofer began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016. Cristofer loves to play with his older brother while his mother cooks for the family or weaves Mayan textiles. His favorite foods are bananas, rice, and noodles. He lives with his family in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. Cristofer's father works as a day laborer on a local plantation. He cannot afford his son's $512 treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Cristofer recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Cristofer a chance to grow healthy and strong.

Trylin is a 58-year-old woman with two sons, five daughters, and twelve grandchildren. She likes to listen to the news on the radio in her free time. One year ago, Trylin developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision, tearing, irritation, and extreme sensitivity to light. It is difficult for her to see things, recognize faces, do any work, and go anywhere outside. On October 27, Trylin underwent a cataract removal and a lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope my eyes can see everything more clearly...so that I can easily do my housework, take care of my grandchildren, and do any work. I want to be able to go anywhere," shares Trylin.

"I hope I will be able to see everything clearer, so that I can more easily do my work and go outside,” explains Muon, a 75-year-old woman from Cambodia. Muon, who is married with five sons, two daughters, and twenty grandchildren, spends her time performing daily tasks around her home and visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray. “A year ago, Muon developed cataracts in both eyes,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “This has caused blurred vision, watery eyes, and light sensitivity. It is hard for her to recognize faces, do her work, and go outside on her own.” However, for $225, Muon will undergo surgery to remove her cataracts. The procedure involves the use of an ultrasonic device to break up and then remove the cloudy lenses, as well as the replacement of these lenses with intraocular lenses (IOL)--synthetic, artificial lenses, which will restore Muon’s sight and reduce her discomfort. “I hope my wife will be able to see everything normally again, so that I don’t have to worry about her becoming blind,” shares Muon’s husband. With our help, this will be possible.