5 yr old Marvin in danger of losing his eyesight.

Tuesday, March 8, 20115 year old in danger of losing his eye


5 year old Marvin is one of our preschool students in the impoverished village of San Antonio. Several weeks ago, he came to us because of a painful problem with his eye. The muscle under his right eye was constantly twitching, causing his eyelashes to scratch against his eyeball. Fortunately, we were able to arrange for him to be seen by visiting surgeons from the US who were performing eye operations. Much to the doctors' surprise, when they checked below his eye, they discovered a tumor growing underneath the lower eye lid. The doctors had never seen a tumor like this one; they removed it, and sent it back to the US to be biopsied.



They sent happy, active Marvin home with strict instructions to keep the eye covered and never to touch it. He had to stay home from school for several days, so that there would be no risk of other kids disturbing his eye. Today, Marvin went for his follow up appointment, and he got some bad news: his cornea is infected, and he is in danger of losing his eye.



We would like to rush him to the best eye clinic in Guatemala, which is located in the capital, as soon as possible. We do not yet know how exactly how much it will cost, but based on past experience we estimate that it will be around $200 for the consult, tests and transportation to the capital. Please help this upbeat little boy avoid a life-long problem, by getting him the care he needs now. You can donate towards Marvin's medical care on the donate now page; scroll down to the Family Aid section and enter FA 120 in the family name box. Thanks so much for your support of Marvin--donations of any size bring us closer to getting him help!