Chean is an 81-year-old grandmother living in Cambodia with her four sons, three daughters, and over ten grandchildren. She enjoys visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray. Two years ago, Chean developed a cataract in each eye, causing blurred vision, tearing, and a burning sensation. She has been unable to walk safely or independently, which prevents her from leaving the house. She and her daughter visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. Her doctors at CSC recommended she have a phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens implant in each eye, which will replace her internal lenses and restore her vision to full clarity. In total, the procedure, supplies, drugs, and three days of inpatient care will cost $225. Following her surgery, Chean will have restored vision and her discomfort will be resolved. She will also have her independence again, and will be able to visit the pagoda on her own.

Yenifer is 7 months old and is suffering from acute malnutrition. Acute malnutrition can be deadly, and puts a lot of strain on the family—often times the mom will eat less in order to feed her children, leaving her without enough food and stressed out. Her mom did not realize her daughter had malnutrition until our medical team visited their home. The combination of insufficient calorie intake and frequent bouts of diarrhea can lead to extreme dehydration in the children, a weakened immune system, and death. The long-term effects of acute malnutrition can be devastating as well for the child. Many suffer from a decreased ability to learn and succeed in school, and an increased susceptibility to chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. This cycle of malnutrition is likely to continue if Yenifer’s parents decide to have more children, which could also worsen her own case. Currently, she is having trouble reaching some developmental milestones— she has not been able to sit up yet. Yenifer lives in an adobe house with a tin roof with her parents and older sibling. She is a happy child, and loves to play with the one toy she has— a rattle. Her favorite food is oranges. Yenifer’s father is a day laborer doing odd jobs in the fields and in construction. Her mother works at home, tending to the house, taking care of Yenifer and her sibling. Although her parents work hard, they still struggle to make enough money to support their small family and supply Yenifer with a varied diet and sufficient protein—right now her parents don’t have the money to give her eggs, vegetables, or fruit she needs everyday so she can grow properly. This treatment will supply Yenifer with the growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and medication for her to gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age. This treatment will strengthen her immune system and increase her overall caloric intake. Her mom will receive intense nutrition education to ensure that Yenifer has a nutritious diet to help her grow and develop. This will help her start to develop better both physically and mentally. Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition, and give Yenifer the chance to live a healthy and productive life.

This is Melida, a 13-month-old girl who lives in Guatemala with her family. She is the youngest of seven, and loves to play with her older siblings. Melida is malnourished. That means that she is far below a healthy height and weight for her age. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), explains, “She has had not access to an adequate diet, and has been deprived of the protein, calories, and nutrients that she needs to grow normally. This lack of calories has left her immune defenses compromised, meaning she is more susceptible to getting fevers, coughs, and diarrhea, all of which are life-threatening to malnourished children.” Luckily, Melida can be treated. Her parents cannot afford the $512 treatment cost, but we can help. After treatment, Melida will be on the path to recovery. Melida's treatment will receive growth monitoring, micronutrients, food supplementation and deworming medication. WK explains, “This treatment will strengthen her immune system, increase her overall caloric intake, and make it so she has more energy to play and learn. Her parents will receive the support they need to feel empowered to give her the diet she needs to grow and develop--they will receive intense and motivational nutrition classes to learn what, when, and how to feed Melida the best diet possible. This will help her start to develop better both physically and mentally, giving her the chance to live a healthy and productive life, escaping the cycle of poverty and malnutrition that is making her sick.” Melida’s mother tells WK, “I want Melida to learn, be able to read one day, and have a professional career.”