Julia is a jovial ten-year-old girl who lives in rural Guatemala with her family. Her mother is a single parent and supports Julia and her three sisters by working in Guatemala’s capital. Although her job provides a steady income, it forces her to live apart from her children. While Julia’s mother is in the city, Julia and her sisters live with their grandparents.
Julia is in third grade and does well in school. She likes to run and loves to play soccer, but she has been experiencing trouble breathing, which makes it difficult for her to participate in physical activity.
Julia and her aunt recently traveled to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), complaining of a dry cough that makes it difficult for Julia to breathe. WK diagnosed Julia with asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition in which one’s airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, making it difficult to breathe. Already, her asthma has provoked a chronic cough and makes Julia’s chest hurt when she tries to run and play.
WK is requesting $422 to fund Julia’s medicine and the medical attention she needs to manage her asthma. She will begin receiving her mediation on April 10. The medication will allow her to run and play without coughing. She will be able to participate fully in games at school, run without fear of being unable to breathe, and live without the constant bother of a persistent cough.
Julia’s grandparents say, “We feel sad because she is sick and we would like to help her with everything, but we don’t have money. We ask God to help us keep moving forward, and at the same time for you all to have compassion on us and help with our little girl’s treatment.”
