Radical Missions April Newsletter |
Radical Missions is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-government organization (NGO) funded by private contributions. We work solely in the country of Guatemala in Central America. We are not affiliated with any corporation, single church, or other organization. Donations made too Radical are tax deductible. |
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Unlike other charities, we do not employ executives or have any other payroll or administrative expenses. Our organization is run by volunteers and missionaries, meaning all donations go to help real Guatemalans in Guatemala. Because we are a 501(c)3 organization registered with the IRS, donations made to Radical Missions are tax deductible. Email us to learn more about ways you can help make a real difference here, and also reduce the amount of money you need to pay the IRS for the 2022 tax year. Or, click below to make a one-time or monthly donation. Every $1 makes a huge difference!
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A 15-year-old boy named Fredy came to Clinica Colfax complaining of severe abdominal pain. He was visibly swollen on both sides of his belly. Fredy and his mom explained that he had been dealing with this pain for the last two years, during which time he had seen several doctors and been to the hospital, but no one could identify the issue. Fredy was unable to run or play soccer, his favorite sport, and could only manage slow walking. Nurse Charlene decided to send him for an ultrasound, blood, urine, and stool tests. The stool test came back positive for Helicobacter pylori.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that commonly infects the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine. It is one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide, affecting over half of the world's population. While most people infected with H. pylori don't experience any symptoms or health problems, in some cases, the infection can lead to gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), peptic ulcer disease, and even stomach cancer.
H. pylori is typically transmitted through contaminated food or water, or through close contact with an infected person. Treatment usually involves a combination of antibiotics and acid-reducing medications and is generally effective in curing the infection. Nurse Charlene started Fredy on two types of antibiotics. We retested his stool once he finished the medicine, and the results were negative. A few weeks later, Fredy came in for a checkup and reported being pain-free. His mother was emotional and overwhelmed, trying to express her gratitude. Charlene said to me, "This is why we do it."
To address the water problems, the best solution is to install a water filtration system that can remove specific contaminants present in the water. Different types of filtration systems are available, depending on the type of contaminant you need to remove. |
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Radical Missions' solution is Eco Filters. Our clean water project is made possible through the support of individuals like you and EcoFilter (https://ecofiltro.com.gt/en), a Guatemalan company that produces water filters locally. The Ecofiltro can purify water from almost any source, including wells, faucets, rivers, lakes, ponds, and rainwater, with very few exceptions, such as saltwater from the sea. If the water has too much soil in it, we recommend filtering it through a clean cloth first to prevent small stones and solid materials from clogging the pores of the filter. This provides families with access to free, clean water right in their own homes. If you're interested in helping with EcoFilters, check out our page here: https://radicalmissions.org/#water. |
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Will you partner with us through a tax-deductible monthly gift? Your monthly support, no matter the size makes a huge difference, allowing us to plan for projects further in advance, and letting us allocate resources to the projects that have the biggest impact here in Guatemala.
As always, your prayer is much appreciated. Thank you again for your past support. Please prayerfully consider making a monthly gift of any amount using this link here:
...one life at a time |
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