Bharat, a 45-year-old man from Nepal, broke his arm when he was walking down the flight of stairs of his house. It had been raining the whole night and the water had seeped in from the roof to the stairs. After he injured himself, Bharat was brought to the health post by his son. He was given a sling and told to go to the hospital for further treatment. The X-ray showed that it needed surgery to be fixed. Bharat and his wife work as farmers to provide for his family of six. His eldest child currently studies in the capital city, Kathmandu, while the rest of his children stay with him and go to school. They help the family with cattle grazing and the farms. In order to treat Bharat's fractured arm, he will undergo surgery to realign the bones so they heal properly. Surgery plus four days in the hospital will cost $579. "It's difficult now with this injury," Bharat says. "We rely on farming and it is intensive labour. My children will have to take this on until I get better."

Sethi is a 36-year-old refugee from Congo who currently lives in Kenya. He came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), seeking answers to debilitating symptoms such as headaches, vision impairment, and difficulty walking. When Sethi left Congo, he was separated from his six children and has not been able to locate them. He left all of his possessions behind and has had to move in with a distant relative who supports his own wife and two children by selling second-hand clothes. “[Sethi’s relative] has not been able to go to work consistently, as he has to take care of Sethi and his wife, who is expecting,” says AMHF. AMHF diagnosed Sethi with a brain tumor. Fortunately, the tumor is benign. However, “Sethi has been experiencing painful migraines,” AMHF tells us. “His vision has been partially impaired, and he has to walk with the assistance of someone else.” To remove the tumor, doctors plan to perform two surgical procedures during a single operation. In one procedure—a craniotomy—doctors will remove a portion of his skull to access the tumor. In the second procedure—transsphenoidal surgery—doctors will insert surgical instruments through his nose and into the sphenoid sinus cavity at the base of his brain. “If not treated,” continues AMHF, “Sethi will continue suffering from painful migraines with a possibility of being permanently blind. The brain tumor may also ultimately result in death.” $1,205 pays for surgery for Sethi as well as six days of hospital care—two days in intensive care and four days in the general ward—after surgery. Funding also covers the costs of medicine, blood work, and pathology. Sethi is providing $306 to pay for additional costs associated with his care. “After the surgery and recovery,” says AMHF, “Sethi will no longer suffer migraines, and he may regain his vision.” “Sethi hopes to get well to trace his family and help other people who might also be in need like himself,” shares Sethi’s relative.

This is Jeferson. He is 10 months old and is the youngest of three children. He loves potato chips and soup, and his favorite toy is a rattle. Jeferson started having seizures a few months ago. They began when he had pneumonia. He was hospitalized and although he recovered from the pneumonia, the seizures never went away. Jeferson’s seizures generally last for 5-10 minutes, and occur at least once a week. Despite his medical condition, Jefferson eats well, and can say the word “mama.” Jeferson’s mother has had to take time off of work to keep an eye on him. She borrowed some money from the community and from family members to continue supporting her family, but it has been difficult. She told our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawog, that she “would like to know why Jeferson has seizures so that we can confront his problem." With $967, we can help get Jeferson receive a formal diagnosis, as well as afford him access to long-term management from doctors and case workers. If Jeferson does not receive medical intervention, his seizures may continue, and may affect his development, and later, his education and his work life. Let's help Jeferson and his family, and fund this important treatment.

Meet Moises, an 18-month old baby boy from Guatemala. Moises lives with his parents and five siblings. Both of Moises’ parents are laborers at a local coffee farm. While they are away at work, Moises’ is cared for by his older siblings. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) tells us, “Together, the children play with sticks of wood and climb the jocote trees – Moises just watches. He is a super relaxed child and doesn’t cry often.” Due to acute malnutrition, “Moises’ immune system is weak and he is more than three standard deviations below both the average weight for his age and height for his age,” WK states. Without enough calories and nutrients, Moises faces the risk of further health complications. WK explains, “Without intervention, Moises’ health will continue to worsen – his mental and physical growth will be stunted and he will be at risk of the long-term effects of malnutrition.” For $535, Moises will receive intensive nutritional therapy. Nutritional supplements will be added into his diet to return essential nutrients to his body. He will also receive deworming medication protect him against infection. Moises’ parents will be enrolled in a course on nutrition, teaching them how to provide a healthy diet for their children. “Intensive nutrition education will benefit not only Moises, but his other siblings, as his parents will have the educational tools necessary to prepare nutritious meals for all their children and be able to recognize the signs of malnutrition in the future,” says WK. With an improved diet, Moises will grow at a faster rate and “his immune system will strengthen and he will avoid the devastating long-term effects of malnutrition,” WK says. “We are so thankful for this program, and hope that with your help he will get better soon,” shares Moises’ mother.

Meet Jefferson, an 18-month old baby boy from Guatemala. Jefferson lives with his parents and brother who watches him while their parents work. Their mother weaves textiles and tends to the home, and their father is a farmer. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), shares that Jefferson "loves to play with a little toy motorcycle" that his brother gave him. Jefferson is acutely malnourished, and "is far below the average height and weight for his age," his doctor shares. "We worry that without intervention, his health will continue to decline." He is currently living with symptoms of a weak immune system -- diarrhea and a fever. He doesn't have much energy, and can only say a few words. Without treatment, Jefferson faces serious long term effects. “His physical and mental development will be stunted and he will be unable to reach his full potential," WK adds. For $535, Jefferson will receive nutritional supplements to recuperate his weight and height, and deworming medicine to help him fight off some immediate symptoms. His parents will also receive nutritional education to help them provide long-term care. “I am so thankful for this program that you have made,” shares Jefferson’s mother. “You are helping so many families, and to want to help us is just incredible. We hope Jefferson will be able to get better soon.”

Meet Cesar, a nine-month old baby boy from Guatemala. Cesar lives with his parents and three siblings. His older siblings often care for him while his parents work to support the family. Cesar is malnourished and "his weight and height for his age are far below the average," shares our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). He has a weak immune system and is battling a fever and cough. Along with this immediate symptoms, "he is at risk of permanent physical and mental stunting." "Without intervention," WK adds, "he will face the long-term effects of malnutrition and his health will continue to decline.” Cesar's family wants to provide for him, but doesn't have the resources or tools necessary to do so. For $535, Cesar will receive nutritional supplements and medication to fight his current symptoms and recoup his lost weight and height. His parents will also receive nutritional education to make sure his progress is sustained. “This intervention will prevent Cesar from suffering from the long term effects of malnutrition,” says WK. “His immune system will strengthen, allowing him to better combat infections and illness throughout his life." “Thank you for coming to us and for wanting to help,” shares Cesar’s mother. “I can hardly believe it. Thank you.”

Meet Junior! He's almost two years old and lives with his family in Guatemala. Junior loves to play with his toy ball and car with his uncle Edgar. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), tells us that due to acute malnutrition, "Junior is far below the average weight and the average height for his age and he frequently suffers at times from diarrhea and fever." Junior is malnourished, and isn't receiving the nutrients and calories he needs to grow. WK adds that "his mother is feeding his a mostly liquid based diet and is unsure how to help him increase his weight." His favorite foods are bananas, carrots, and other veggies, but his malnutrition has even suppressed his appetite. His mother works hard to support her family, but is unsure how to effectively treat her son's condition. Without intervention, WK adds, "his immune system will continue to weaken, his height and weight will continue to fall away from the curve, his physical and mental development will be permanently stunted, and he will be at risk for the long term affects of malnutrition." For $535, Junior will receive treatment that includes growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and medication to treat his immediate and long term symptoms. This will all help increase his caloric intake, appetite, and ability to fight off infections. Junior's mother will also enroll in a nutritional education program to build her confidence and ability in caring for her son. This multi-faceted treatment is expected to allow Junior to return to full health, and grow up without long-term consequences of malnutrition.

At 16 months old, Eliseo is the youngest of ten children. He lives with his parents and siblings in a small adobe house in Guatemala. Eliseo loves to play with his brothers, especially with toy cars and balls. However, due to acute malnutrition, he often has low energy and stamina, and is frequently sick with fevers and diarrhea. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us that Eliseo's mother first brought him to a local health clinic where a nurse told her that Eliseo was not getting the calories he needed. Without a healthy diet, "Eliseo is far below the average height for age and weight for age and if intervention does not occur, he will be physically and mentally stunted," his doctor says. Eliseo's immune system is also weakened--increasing his risk of chronic disease. Eliseo’s mother does household chores and collects firewood to sell. However, the family is primarily dependent on Eliseo’s father’s modest income earned as fieldworker. WK tells us “Eliseo’s family does not have enough money to afford the amount of food and the quality of calories that Eliseo needs.” For $535, Eliseo will undergo intensive nutrition therapy. He will receive micronutrient food supplementation as well as medication to prevent infections during his treatment. Combined, this intervention will improve Eliseo's immunity and overall nutrition--allowing Eliseo to regain the height and weight he has lost. He will also have improved long-term health, including reduced risk of chronic disease. Eliseo’s mother will also receive the education she needs to support her children. She adds, "with the help of God and the institution, kids like our son will begin to get the food and care they need to grow. This is such a blessing.”

Meet Cristian, an eight-month-old boy from Guatemala. Cristian is the only child of two loving parents. According to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), Cristian’s father is a day laborer and his mother weaves textiles to sell at a market. To supplement their income, they also tend to a small corn field near their house. Cristian is acutely malnourished. Due to his condition, “Cristian has diarrhea and a fever, and his height and weight are far below the average for his age,” WK shares. “His parents cannot afford to pay for medication or hospital visits and so without intervention his health will continue to decline.” A healthy diet is essential for normal childhood growth--supporting both physical and cognitive development. With this condition, Cristian’s immune system may also diminish, exposing him to risk of infection. For $535, Cristian will be treated for acute malnutrition. He will receive nutritional supplements and medication to treat and prevent gastrointestinal infections causing his diarrhea. Cristian’s mother will also participate in intensive nutrition education courses--teaching her how to better care for her son’s nutritional needs. WK states that with the proposed treatment, “Cristian will begin to recoup the height and weight he has lost, will avoid the long term effects of malnutrition, and develop the ability to concentrate and eventually succeed in school and the work force.” "I want to learn all I can to help my first child," Cristian’s mother shares, "so that I can then help others and prevent malnutrition in the future.”