Sophaiyath is a 9-year-old girl who lives with her family in Kratie Province. She has one brother who is only one-year-old. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up, so she studies very hard at school. She loves to eat mangoes, play jump rope, and take care of her little brother. One year ago, Sophaiyath's father began to see that she was walking abnormally. They brought her to a local hospital and found that she had developed Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP) disease. This disease is a rare childhood disease in which blood flow to part of the hip socket is cutoff, and the bone begins to die. Now Sophaiyath experiences pain and stiffness, and cannot walk normally. She has missed school due to the condition, and her parents are worried that she will have permanent mobility issues. Luckily, the doctors at CSC can perform an osteotomy to repair Sophaiyath's hip. Once she recovers, she will no longer experience pain and will regain her mobility. She will also have increased confidence in her physical abilities. Sophaiyath's mother shared, "I want to see my daughter run and enjoy playing with the other children, so I hope this surgery is successful and finally fixes her hip."

Zet is a 13-month-old baby from Guatemala. He is the first child in his family, and his parents are thrilled to have him. Zet's mother is a homemaker, while his father is a farmer and fisherman. Zet's soccer ball is his favorite toy, and his parents suspect he may be a great athlete in the future! Zet has been unable to gain weight, and has thus been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. On February 7, Zet will begin treatment at our medical partner's care center, Clinic Panajachel. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $782 to cover the cost of his nutrient and food supplementation. This will also pay for an educational program that will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. "We hope that our son grows healthy and that he is able to realize his dreams," say Zet's parents.

Four-year-old Bin from Cambodia was born with a cataract in each eye. Diagnosed with cataracts as a newborn, Bin’s natural lenses are cloudy instead of clear. With impaired vision, he can’t walk anywhere by himself or play with his younger sister and his friends. He enjoys playing with his toy car. After traveling two hours to reach our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Center (CSC), Bin’s parents are hopeful that Bin can receive funding to see clearly. Bin’s cataract treatment will cost $225. “After a lens aspiration surgery in each eye, Bin will be able to see clearly for the first time in his life,” CSC explains. Bin’s family is hopeful for his recovery. “I hope my son can see everything normally like the other kids so I won’t need to worry about his eyes becoming blind,” shares Bin’s father. “Then, I can bring him to school and he can play with the other kids.”

“My wish is that when he is six years old, he will be well enough to attend school,” shares Ariel’s mother. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) says that Ariel, a one-year-old boy from Guatemala, “likes to play with toy cars.” Ariel is at a critical point in his early childhood development. His mother explains that they are currently, “making the transition from crawling to walking.” Excitedly, she adds that last week, “Ariel took his first steps.” However--due to acute pediatric malnutrition--Ariel may witness delays in future development milestones at this important part of his childhood. Acute malnutrition occurs when the body does not intake as many essential nutrients as it needs--causing a nutritional imbalance. Children with malnutrition often experience stunted growth--both mentally and physically. According to WK, “Ariel’s height and weight are far below the average for his age.” Without intervention, acute malnutrition can lead to significant health complications due to a weakened immune system. $535 will fund a 90-day micronutrient food supplementation program to treat Ariel’s acute malnutrition. Over the three month period, nutrient-rich food supplements will be gradually incorporated into Ariel’s diet. This will be a slow and gradual process to allow his body to safely adjust to the dietary changes. As his immune system is currently weak, Ariel will also receive a deworming medication to protect him against infections while he is undergoing treatment. With the fourth-highest rate of malnutrition in the world, this condition is particularly common in Guatemala. As education plays an important role in prevention, Ariel’s parents will work with a nutritionist to receive an intensive course on nutrition. WK comments that teaching Ariel’s parents about healthy eating habits, “will impact his diet and health care for the rest of his childhood.” Additionally, WK states, “this treatment will give Ariel a chance to recoup his weight and height, gain the nutrients he needs to grow normally and strengthen his immune system.” With a healthier diet, “Ariel's energy will increase and he will have the capacity to concentrate, learn more effectively and eventually succeed in school,” says WK.

Meet Silvia, a one-year old girl from Guatemala. Silvia often plays with her older sister, and she has a single mother who weaves blouses and picks jacote fruit to sell at the market. Silvia is a patient with our medical partner Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), who explains that Silvia “has been suffering from acute malnutrition for several months now and has chronic diarrhea, cough, vomiting and a fever.” “Without intervention, Silvia’s health will continue to decline and she will be at high risk of death from malnutrition and dehydration,” continues WK. “If she survives her body will have limited ability to develop and grow normally. She is already far below the average height and weight for her age, and it is obvious that her immune system is incredibly weak.” For $535, we can fund a multifaceted treatment that includes educational support on nutrition for Silvia's mother, micronutrient and food supplementation for Silvia and medication for Silvia's immediate medical issues. Her mother will receive information on how to effectively spend the limited money she has to purchase the most nutrient dense food options for her children. “Over time we expect Silvia’s energy to improve and for her to experience a lower risk of chronic diseases (such as diabetes and hypertension), as well as lower risk of complicated pregnancy, both of which are highly associated with childhood malnutrition,” says WK. “Most importantly she will avoid dying because of lack of medical care affordability.” Silvia's mother shares, “I am so happy you found us, I have no idea what I would have done if you didn't find us.” Let's fund this treatment and get Silvia back on track!

Abdias is an energetic one-year-old boy and the youngest of eight children. “He loves to play ball with his siblings and run around the yard in nothing but his white tank top. His family lives in a famously hot and arid area of Guatemala, in a two-room concrete block house.” According to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, “Abdias is suffering from acute malnutrition. His height and weight are far below average for his age, and he is lagging developmentally behind his peers.” Without intervention, Abdias’ developmental and physical growth will be impacted. A lack of intervention will also “affect Abdias’ ability to build a strong immune system, thus concentrating his susceptibility to other illnesses.” For $535, we can provide Abdias with the full nutrition and toolkit to live a healthy and normal childhood. “He will recoup the height and weight he lost and begin to catch up developmentally to his peers. He will receive nutritional support, thus allowing his brain to grow and develop normally. His immune system will strengthen and he will have more energy.” His mother will be educated in nutrition in such a way that it will also benefit his eight siblings. Let’s make sure Abdias doesn't fall behind developmentally and help him get back to normal. His mother expresses, “My dream for my baby is that one day he grows up to be a professional, with a real job that pays well. I want him to have a family and be successful.”

“Keyner is a happy baby. He loves to play with his neighbors and cousins. The other kids enjoy having him around, and often times call him hermanito (‘little brother’) even if they are unrelated to him," says our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). This baby brother to all is Keyner, a six-month-old boy from Guatemala. Shortly after his birth, Keyner’s father left his family. Keyner lives with his mother, who has been unable to breastfeed due to lactation failure. Keyner has been subsiding on “atol, typically consisting of boiled water and pulverized corn," says WK. "However, without the immune resistance from him mother’s breast milk, Keyner’s immune system has become extremely weak. He was admitted to the hospital for 15 days due to a high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. He is rapidly losing weight and in constant need of medical attention.” Thankfully, lactation failure is easily solved. With $1,220, WK will provide “nutrition education, formula supplementation, and deworming medication" for Keyner and his mother. "His diarrhea due to a parasitic infection will stop, he will recoup previously lost weight, and his immune system will strengthen," WK adds. “I want my child to be able to study and become a professional… not like me. I have never studied, and now I cannot get a job to support us," shares Keyner's mother. "I want to see my baby grown, to see him smiling and walking. Above all I want to be the one to bring up my son.”

“I can’t wait to go back to school and be able to play with my friends,” says an eager Mengly. Mengly is a seven-year-old boy living in Cambodia whose schooling has been interrupted by vision loss due to a traumatic cataract in his right eye. “A month ago, a piece of wood hit Mengly’s eye and a cataract formed—making it hard for him to see out of his right eye,” our medical partners at Children’s Surgical Centre tell us. “He has a hard time reading and has had to stop going to school.” $150 will fund cataract surgery for Mengly, improving his eyesight and allowing him to return to first grade. Let’s help Mengly continue his education and allow him to play with his friends again!

This is Anthony, an adorable two-year-old boy from Guatemala. Anthony's had a rough start to life and needs our help! Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq explains that "he had very serious pneumonia about 1 year ago, a very long intensive care stay, and ever since he has been intermittently ill, with frequent diarrhea and respiratory illness, poor appetite, and low energy.” Anthony's mom says she "wants him to be healthy and grow up to be successful." Anthony keeps losing weight from his illness and as a result, is acutely malnourished. Without treatment, he risks permanent growth restriction and brain damage. Wuqu' Kawoq shares that "Anthony's mom has been doing her best to keep him healthy, but she is overwhelmed by the high cost of his care and has had trouble making ends meet." With $535, Anthony will receive treatment to that will help him grow, gain weight, and meet developmental and cognitive milestones. Let's help Anthony get back on track and allow him to grow up to be big and strong!