Ma Kyi is a 15-year-old girl from Burma. She and her parents have lived in Hpa-an their whole lives. They own their own farm, where they grow rice and beans to sell. When Ma Kyi was born, she had a mass between her eyes. Her parents did not seek treatment for the mass, as it did not cause her any health problems. They also could not afford treatment. This condition has significantly impacted Ma Kyi's life. She stopped attending school five years ago because she feels self-conscious about her appearance. Since then, she has been helping her parents around the house. Recently, a friend of her mother referred the family to our medical partner's care center, Mae Tao Clinic (MTC). She told them that MTC would be able to provide treatment for Ma Kyi. Soon after arriving at the clinic, Ma Kyi began to work with our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. Ma Kyi's condition is formally known as frontoethmoidal encephalomeningocele, or FEEM. Brain fluid and tissue are protruding through her skull. She will be receiving surgery to correct the FEEM on February 5. Now, her family needs help to raise $1,500 to fund this surgery. After recovery, May Kyi plans to return to school.

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.