Gladis is a two-month-old baby girl living with her family in the rural highlands of Guatemala. Gladis's mother has been unable to produce enough breast milk for her, and has resorted to feeding her warm sugar water to fill Gladis up. This limited diet is insufficient and has dangerous implications for Gladis's health. Lactation failure can lead to starvation, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances that cause seizures. Brain development during this period is particularly sensitive and continued malnourishment could put Gladis at risk for long-term damage. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $1,162 to fund Gladis's treatment, which will begin on June 22. Gladis will receive formula, micronutrients, and food supplementation, as well as regular growth monitoring. Community health workers will also teach her mother how to create a nutrient rich diet using limited resources. Hopefully Gladis's continued treatment will allow her to gain weight, strengthen her immune system, and catch up with other children her age. Gladis´s mother says, “Thank you for the support we will get. Thank you to the donors for helping children in Guatemala, especially for helping Gladis. With the help of the program, I will see my child grow little by little.”

Ayebale is a 12-year-old boy from Uganda. He is the fifth born out of eight children. There are five boys and three girls in his family. Ayebale and his younger siblings are in government-funded schools, where education is free, because his parents are unable to pay school fees in private schools. Ayebale's parents are farmers. Ayebale was born with a swollen right scrotum. His parents kept him on local herbs for treatment. Eventually, Ayebale's parents took him to be examined at Holy Family Virika Hospital, our medical partner's care center. At the hospital, Ayebale was diagnosed with a right scrotal hydrocele. which requires surgery. If not treated, Ayebale may suffer pain and discomfort as the swelling continues growing. On September 6, Ayebale will undergo hydrocele repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, has requested $185 to fund Ayebale's procedure. This will cover the full cost of treatment, including a three night hospital stay, labs, supplies, medications, and physician time.

Sok Chan is a second grader from Cambodia. She loves cartoons. Sok Chan was born with syndactyly of both hands. This means that three fingers on each hand are fused together. This condition makes it difficult to hold things, write, and have good hand function. Fortunately, on September 4, surgeons will perform a syndactyly repair procedure to separate and release the fused digits. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $365 to fund this procedure. After surgery, Sok Chan's mom wants her to go back to school and feel good playing with the other children. Her mother says, "I want my daughter to do well in school."

Raul is a 28-year-old man who was born with a cataract in one eye. Because of his condition, Raul can only see lights and shadows out of that eye, which greatly impairs his depth perception and makes it difficult to work. Fortunately, doctors at Wuqu’ Kawoq can perform a cataract surgery that they believe will completely restore Raul’s eyesight. Raul comes from an area of Guatemala where nearly 75% of people live in poverty. There’s not much of a social safety net for Raul to fall back on, and paying for a procedure like this out of pocket is out of the question. Raul’s doctors tell us: “Raul is a bright, motivated young man. He would love to get back to studying, but the vision problem gets in the way. He’s anxious to put this behind him.”