"Three years ago, Odilla got pregnant for the first time. She was fine until her last month of pregnancy, when she got very tired, had a hard time breathing, a severe headache, and was diagnosed with preeclampsia," our medical partner in Guatemala, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) tells us. Now, Odilla is 26 years old and pregnant with her second child. Because Odilla had a high-risk first pregnancy, the team at WK has been monitoring her and noticed that "her blood pressure has started to rise. She and her husband are worried, and scared--they were so happy to finally get pregnant again." Odilla typically weaves traditional sashes to sell, but "she has not felt well enough recently to be able to weave, and money has been tight--especially since her husband doesn't have a steady stream of income working as a day laborer," WK adds. For $377, Odilla will receive close medical attention to monitor and control her condition during her pregnancy. This money will also go towards creating a birth plan for Odilla and cover the cost of her hospitalization, if needed, should her condition worsen during labor. Funding will also "provide her with the social and linguistic support she needs to feel comfortable going to the hospital. This treatment will not only save her life, but help her baby to be born happy and healthy."

Nith, a 17-year-old girl from Cambodia, began experiencing hearing loss and discharge from both ears when she was young. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) explains, “A cholesteatoma (benign growth) has been discovered in her left ear.” Nith shares, “When I have ear discharge and I feel pain, it disrupts my life so I stopped studying at school. I couldn’t hear my teacher. Now, I work on the farm.” Nith went to school until 9th grade, and now helps her parents tend to their farm. She enjoys reading books, helping her mother clean the house, and drawing pictures in her free time. $809 will cover the cost of the myringoplasty sugery that Nith needs to treat her condition permanently. CSC says, “After the surgery, her hearing will improve and her pain and discharge will stop.”

"Prakash has been crying - I just wish he would be free of pain soon," his father told our medical partner, Possible, at Prakash's pre-operative interview. Recently, 10-year-old Prakash seriously injured his leg while playing soccer with friends. He fell in a ditch and fractured his left femur, or thigh bone—the largest bone in the body. “The area of injury looks deformed now, and there is considerable swelling,” notes his doctor. “He’s also been bedridden since the accident and is unable to move around on his own,” which could make returning to school complicated for the young boy. To soothe this pain and to be able to walk again, Prakash needs to undergo leg surgery. However, his parents, who are farmers, cannot afford the operation and aftercare on their salary. Fortunately, we can help this family make ends meet for Prakash’s operation. For $579, we can fully fund the surgical procedure he requires. “Prakash's fractured bones will be aligned correctly and secured with the help of a plate to ensure it heals well,” explains Possible. This sum will also provide Prakash with the cast, four-day hospital stay, and physical therapy he’ll need to make sure his leg recuperates fully. Let’s help Prakash get back to walking, to soccer, and to school.

Meet Mahendra, an 8-year-old only child from Nepal. Mahendra lives with his parents, who tend a farm to make ends meet at home. “Mahendra first noticed a fluid sac on his leg one and a half years ago,” explains our medical partner, Possible. “As the swelling increased it got painful and made it uncomfortable to even sit or walk. Despite the hydrocele [fluid sac], he has been going to his school and helping at home by looking after the cattle.” $428 will allow Mahendra to have the hydrocele repair surgery he needs. After surgery, he will be able to do all of his activities without any of his current discomfort. “Mahendra is excited to return home and play with his friends,” adds Possible.