Children in the Philippines living in extreme poverty struggle to access basic necessities. Many families simply can’t afford food, water, or medical care.
Queenie lives with the constant fear that a simple embrace could hurt her 16-month-old daughter, Noriko.
Noriko was born with Myelomeningocele, the most severe form of Spina Bifida. Her spinal cord is exposed in a fragile bulge on her back measuring nearly 10.6 inches around. It is so sensitive that whenever her mother tries to gently lift her, Noriko cries out in pain. It isn’t just a diagnosis; it is a physical burden that threatens her life every single day.
Doctors have warned that this bulge is a ticking time bomb. Any leak or change is a life-threatening emergency, yet the healthcare system has told them to wait months for a surgery slot. Queenie is left in a state of constant, terrifying vigilance, waiting for a miracle that the system is delaying.
We cannot wait for an emergency to happen before we act. Noriko needs this surgery now to live without pain and finally be protected.
Please donate to give Noriko the chance to grow up strong. If you can’t donate, sharing her story is a powerful way to help us reach the help she needs.
Maya’s Hope works to improve the lives of orphaned, impoverished, and special-needs children worldwide.