Should I take my child to the doctor

or buy food for my family?

Food or health care? It's a choice no parent should ever have to make, but mothers in the Guatemala Highlands struggle with this question every day. With barely enough money to buy food for their families, doctor visits are a luxury they just can't afford. The consequences can be disastrous.

 August 9 is the UN's International Day of the World's Indigenous People. Our donors share in this celebration all year long through programs like Mother/Infant Health sponsorship, which provides indigenous families with free medical treatment, well-care checkups, vaccinations for their babies, as well as  healthy baby educational programs.

 The five healthy children in this message are a glowing testament to the benefits of this program. But sadly, all of them have now lost their sponsors. Their parents can no longer afford health care, putting all of these children at grave risk. 

 Please take a moment to read the the children's stories, look into their eyes, and find a way to help if you can. Just click on any of the children's photos to learn more about Mother/Infant Health sponsorship. 

 Then, please take one more moment to share this email with your friends. Every new sponsor offers a lifetime of better health for an infant or toddler. Thank you so much for caring.

Nicolás

Nicolás (above) is an active 21-month old boy. He loves to play with his brothers and sisters and likes eating just about anything. Nicolás has suffered from many respiratory problems most of his young life. His mother, Josefa, is praying for a sponsor to help keep him healthy and growing strong. She had to leave school at age 10, but she is determined that her own children will get a good education and dreams they will all become professionals one day. You can sponsor Nicolás by clicking on his photo.

Maria

 Maria is 20-month old cutie. She is a happy little girl who is growing well. She has endured fevers and respiratory infections, but thanks to her former sponsor and the Mother/Infant Health Program, Maria's mother has been able to take her to the doctor whenever she is sick.

    Maria is waiting for a caring new sponsor who will help her stay healthy in these crucial early years. You can learn more about sponsoring Maria by clicking on her photo.

Dolores

 Dolores is 3 1/2 years old and growing fast! She loves to pretend she is cooking like her mommy. Her mother knew very little about keeping her baby well before enrolling in the Mother/Infant Health Program, but she now takes Dolores for regular visits to the doctor and makes her children's health a priority. Dolores’ father is also very involved in the program, attending our educational meetings to learn how to keep his daughter healthy. 

     Like Maria, Dolores now needs a new sponsor. She deserves a chance to grow and thrive. It only takes one click on her picture to become a hero to Dolores and her family.

Felipe

 Felipe is a 3 1/2 year old boy who loves to eat, play, and talk about everything! His mother, Loami, wants to take care of Felipe more than anything else. She always attends our educational meetings so she can learn more about keeping her young son well. As Felipe's sponsor you will watch him grow from a toddler to a strong, healthy little boy through letters and pictures. Just click on his picture to learn more about sponsoring Felipe. 

Juana

 Juana may look shy, but she's very talkative and loves to play. She's 3 years and 9 months old and is a bright, healthy little girl. Because of the Mother/Infant Health program, she is always able to go to the doctor when she is sick. Her mother, Yeni Paola, is committed to giving Juana the health and support she needs to eventually attend school—a dream Yeni could never achieve because she began working at age 8.

    Good health and education can break the cycle of poverty in communities like Santiago Atitlan. But right now, it's not about theories or cycles - it's about Juana. Can you help her today?

For $25 a month - less than $1 a day - you can make a critical difference in the life of a child. It only takes a minute to sign up. To sponsor Nicolas, Maria, Dolores, Felipe, Juana or another needy boy or girl in the Santiago Atitlan area, please go to http://www.puebloapueblo.org/sponsorship/index.php. If you're not ready to sponsor yet, you can still help indigenous children in the region by donating at  http://www.puebloapueblo.org/donate/index.php?sub_page=online-donations.

 Thank you once again for caring so much about the Maya children of Guatemala and for celebrating with us the UN's International Day of the World's Indigenous People.