Omar is no stranger to glasses; several years ago his visual problems began and he was given a pair to help with his myopia and astigmatism. These spectacles fell victim to childhood antics, leaving the boy's eyes unaided for more than a year. Recently, thanks to the generosity of a donor, 12 year old Omar was given the opportunity to see an ophthalmologist, who prescribed him with a new pair of glasses. He also received some scary news: Omar needs laser eye surgery for the lesions he has in his pupils, a cost of $180 US. While it is not entirely certain why he has developed this condition, the doctors believe that straining his eyes has only made it worse. Left untreated, these lesions will slowly grow and blur his vision, potentially leaving him blind.

Omar's mother, Maria, hand-washes clothing for a living, earning $9 US a week. His father moved to the capital over a year ago in pursuit of a higher paying job as a day laborer and has not returned since. He sends the family money periodically (sometimes $13 US a week, other times $26 US a month....), but these contributions are not reliable. Omar and his brother only have their mother's meager wages to count on for their everyday needs, and the family struggles to cover the cost of food, rent, clothing, gas, etc., leaving little leftover for pricey medical care. They no longer have electricity in their home as a result of their tight financial situation. It would take them years to save up the necessary money for Omar to get this extremely important surgery.

If you would like to help Omar get help, please go to Donate Now and scroll down. In the Other $ section, insert the amount of your donation. In the Details box, write #2359 Omar laser surgery. Any amount will assist in saving Omar's eyesight! Thank you.

Just as we were getting ready to finish for the afternoon today...I got the message about a young woman, 20 years old, who had drank poison in Tierra Linda.  

She did this on Thursday ...trying to escape a situation where she had become involved with a married man...when she wanted to break off with her...he threatened to tell about their affair on the internet...( the double edged sword of the internet!!) ...so seeing no way out and fearing this terrible humiliation she did what others have done to take their lives....she drank poison that is used on the crops.   

From what I have been told, they took her to the local hospital but they refused to take her in...( I am not sure about the details of this or why they refused...maybe they didn't feel they had the way to treat her)...and the parents then took her to a private clinic...she spent two nights there and the bill for them came to $300 .....and they just could not afford to keep her there any longer.  ....so they have taken her home.

One of the members of the school committee called late this afternoon to tell us that this young woman is suffering terribly, that her mouth is going purple, she is in a lot of pain ....and she can barely swallow any liquids. 

We will be sending the doctor to see her tomorrow...and we will be finding out from the private clinic what kind of treatment that they gave her and what they recommend that we can do with her now.

Such a terrible shame that this young girl felt the need to take such drastic action......unfortunately, she is only one of many young women who have felt there was no other way for them...and drank poison. I can't even imagine how terrible this must be. 

Sharon

www.mayanfamilies.org

Surgeon, anthropologist lead effort to bridge Western health care, indigenous cultures .

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