The village of Quesera is high in the mountains, one hour past the furthest remote clinic CHHF teams provide in Rio Miel. There are no paved roads leading to Quesera. To travel there you must cross the Tinto Negro River and follow small dirt roads, almost path like, with horse and foot the only means of transportation.
At the end of June, Yan Carlos will celebrate his 12th birthday in the house where he was born in Quesera. It has not been an easy childhood. When Yan Carlos was 8 months old, his mother discovered he was having epileptic seizures. For years she traveled three or more hours to the hospital for him to receive care.
The family used everything they had to help Yan Carlos. Travel, medical care, and medications are expensive. There is no aid available or help from the government. The family sold as much as they could, even their cow, to provide medications for him. However, after a few years, they had nothing left. With
no money, the family was forced to stop Yan Carlos’ medication. His mother, Mary Magdalena, was devastated.
His epileptic seizures worsened. When he was an infant, seizures occurred monthly, but as he grew, Yan Carlos had seizures multiples times a day. Mary Magdalena was desperate for help. She could not financially afford what was available. She watched her child seizing regularly without help and hope.
Last year on the radio, Mary Magdalena heard a team would be providing medical services on the radio in nearby Rio Miel. She immediately knew this was her opportunity to find help.
She walked, carrying her 10-year-old boy, feeling more and more hopeful with every step.
Seen by a physician on a CHHF mission team, a diagnosis was made and Mary Magdalena was given medication for Yan Carlos. Mary Magdalena reported to community development director Gladis weekly on his progress. In turn, that information was given to doctors on future teams to ensure he was receiving the correct dose and ensure adjustments would be made. Yan Carlos began going days without seizures.
Additional health problems over the winter and in the early spring were quickly diagnosed with the assistance provided by CHHF and the teams providing medical care. And although teams have been unable to travel to Limón since March, Yan Carlos is still being monitored and receiving mediation.
Your continued support is vital to maintaining good health for Yan Carlos and hundreds of other children like him living in the poorest conditions. Joining our team of monthly donors allows families like Yan Carlos’ the relief of knowing their child will receive the life-saving medication needed and are grateful for you. If you are not already, will you consider becoming a monthly supporter today?
