40-year-old Taw is a farmer who lives with her husband, son, and four daughters in Burma. Her family practices swidden agriculture—a rotational farming method in which different plots of land are cleared for cultivation each year—to grow rice, green beans, and cucumbers to feed themselves. Taw spent several months away from her husband and children while receiving treatment for choriocarcinoma, a cancer of the uterus that occurs during pregnancy. The fast-growing cancer cells develop within the tissue that becomes the placenta. Costs associated with Taw’s previous medical care have left the family with a large amount of debt. With no income from the farm and no external sources of financial support, they have no means of paying for additional treatment for Taw or even education fees or clothes for the children. In addition, the shifting of roles within the family has decreased productivity on the farm and puts them at risk of not producing enough food to feed themselves. “Taw’s current symptoms include gripping abdominal pain and tight muscle spasms in her lower back that force her to lie down,” our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us. “She experiences ongoing bleeding, has spells of dizziness and headaches, and is easily fatigued.” “Taw has been unable to work, and her husband has taken time off to care for her and their sick daughter,” BBP continues. “This has forced their 14-year-old daughter to drop out of school and to take up considerable responsibility to support the family.” For $1500, Taw will undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus. Funding also covers the costs of pre- and post-surgical consultations, seven days of hospital care, and transportation to and from the hospital. “It is hoped that surgery will improve the health condition and comfort of Taw so that she can return to her family,” says BBP. “When I recover, I will work hard to provide for my children," Taw shares.

Meet Jeremias, a one-and-a-half year old boy from Guatemala. He is the youngest of seven children and loves to play with his toy car. Jeremias is frequently sick with a cough and diarrhea due to acute malnutrition. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), shares that if he does not receive a nutritional intervention, his immune system will likely weaken. He will continue to miss both physical and cognitive developmental milestones. Without support, Jeremias, "will be at risk of the long term effects of malnutrition and his family will probably be faced with the cost of sending him to a hospital." Jeremias' mother takes care of the household and earns money weaving and selling textiles. Jeremias' father works as a farmer. The combined income of both of Jeremias’ parents is not enough to afford his treatment. For $535, Jeremias will begin a nutritional regimen -- including micronutrients, food supplements, medications, and education for his parents about how to feed their child to improve his health. With this intervention, Jeremias will regain the height and weight he has lost and continue to develop physically and cognitively. His mother shares, "This is a great help. I am very grateful that he is entered in this program and that we will be helped economically. I am excited for what I will learn.”